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SELECTED 



TALES OF THE GENII: 



REVISED, PURIFIED, AND IN PART RE-MODELLED. 



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EDITED BY E. WHATELY, D.D., 



ARCHBISHOP OF DUBLIN. 




LONDON: 
PAKKEK, SON, AND BOURN, WEST STRAND. 

MDCCCLXI. 



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LONDON : 

PRINTED BY GEORGE PHIPPS, 

WESTMINSTER. 



PREFACE 

TO THE FIEST EDITION. 



\ THE king, 9 it has been said, c who proposed 
a reward to him who should invent a new 
pleasure, would have deserved well of the world, 
if he had stipulated that it should be innocent.' 
In concurrence with this opinion, I have not 
thought it a useless object to purify and render 
fit for general use some of the stories written 
by the late Mr. Ridley, and published many 
years back under the name of ' Tales of the 
Genii.' These beautiful fictions have been puri- 
fied, and in many parts re-written 5 so that in their 
present form an admirable moral, — a religious 
moral, if I may use the expression, — is developed. 
The delight which young people of all ages 
feel in works of fiction, is, of course, a source of 
unmixed regret to those (and there are such) who 
consider the exercise of the imagination as purely 
productive of evil. And such persons, of course, 
studiously set themselves to repress it in those 
whom Providence has placed under their care. 
a 2 



IV PREFACE. 

But as no one faculty appears to have been 
implanted in us for the purpose of being eradi- 
cated, it is a subject of fair, and certainly not of 
useless inquiry, how far we are permitted to re- 
press, or rather whether we are not bound to 
cultivate in early life, the imagination, and to 
supply it with wholesome food. 

That the exercise of this faculty was intended 
to convey gratification as well as benefit, and was 
in consequence designedly provided with suitable 
food, we can scarcely doubt. We find it recorded, 
that in the Garden of Eden God ' made to grow/ 
not only ' every tree that was good for food/ but 
6 that was pleasant ' also ' to the sight f and that 
He pronounced it good, and put man into it ' to 
trim it and to dress it.' 

In truth we can scarcely look around us with- 
out remarking the express provision made for the 
enjoyment of this faculty in every form of nature, 
and noticing how few purely unpleasant forms 
exist. I am not aware of one indeed (unless it 
be that produced by the absence of light) which 
is not connected with pleasurable ideas; and 
darkness itself — the darkness of a serene night — 
in disclosing to us the heavenly bodies, feeds our 
imagination with the noblest and most delightful 
objects. 



PREFACE. V 

But admitting it as true that the imagination 
was given for our enjoyment, and is supplied with 
adequate objects, may we not (it has been said) 
safely leave it to these spontaneous sources of 
gratification, and rather occupy ourselves with 
repressing its growth, than seek to stimulate it 
with artificial means ? To which I would reply, 
that in the first place it is not so much the excess 
of the imaginative faculty, as its wrong direction, 
that we have to dread ; that in the second place, 
if we could repress this faculty, it would be at 
the expense of others ; since it is a powerful agent 
in the acquisition of every branch of knowledge, 
moral as well as intellectual ; and that though it 
has spontaneous sources of usefulness and enjoy- 
ment, yet it cannot safely be left to these in early 
life, since, like every other faculty, it may be 
exercised and pleasurably exercised on evil as 
well as on good objects ; and consequently that it 
rests with us to make it the medium of improve- 
ment as well as of enjoyment, or to leave it to 
run wild among low and unworthy objects. 

Since then it is by works of fiction that the 
youthful imagination is the most easily, and also 
the most pleasantly excited, it is to these that 
our attention should be very much directed in 
our attempts to benefit the rising generation. 



VI PREFACE. 

As a vehicle of instruction, even without an ob- 
trusive or formal moral, fiction may be made 
useful ; because moral judgment is exercised when- 
ever either a real or a probable case of conduct is 
placed before the mind ; and fiction, when made 
probable, thus multiplies and varies indefinitely 
the examples, of which real narratives and real 
life afford a limited supply. 

We have the highest authority indeed for such 
a use of fiction. He who best knew how to make 
his way to the understandings and hearts of men, 
adopted this mode of conveying instruction to his 
hearers. 

But admitting fiction as a vehicle, and a legiti- 
mate and useful vehicle of instruction, do not the 
advantages alluded to, apply to such tales alone 
as profess to imitate real life without the intro- 
duction of (what is called) machinery ? 

By no means : for moral action may be exhibited, 
and consequently moral judgment exercised and 
principles inculcated, even though the events them- 
selves be impossible. For in fact, most of the 
events and situations of real history, are to most 
part of the readers of them morally impossible. It 
is morally impossible for most private persons 
to become kings ; yet the example of kings may 
be made useful. So also the example of men 



PREFACE. Vll 

to women, and vice versa. What difference then 
is made by the introduction of the supernatural, 
which is equally impossible to all ? 

But is not the interest (and consequently both 
the pleasure and instruction thence derived) so 
much the less, when the events are supernatural, 
and consequently what could ^never happen, not 
merely to us, but at all ? 

Experience confirms the decision, that impossi- 
bilities may be made to appear probable, and to 
give more pleasure than possibilities which appear 
improbable. It is easy to admit a certain hypo- 
thesis ; and then to go on with a tale on that 
supposition ; for example, if there were fairies or 
genii of such and such powers, men would be 
likely to do so and so : and then all is well. On 
the other hand, if you abstain from the super- 
natural, but make a savage, or a young lady, act 
as would be very unlikely for them, though possible, 
and (for a civilised man, or for a woman of ex- 
perience) very likely, this revolts us as unnatural, 
and therefore spoils the utility of the fiction. 

A tale is in fact not the more or the less 
probable for having much, or little, or no machi- 
nery. All turns, first, on letting it be under- 
stood in the outset what the hypothesis is ; and 
secondly, on keeping strictly to it. Neither 



Vlll PREFACE. 

man, nor fairy, nor genie, must go beyond his 
tether. 

Tales have been censured as void of interest 
from having supernatural agency introduced at 
all, and also from having too much. Now though 
the censure is, in many instances, right, the 
ground of it is wrong. It is the supernatural 
agency's being introduced unexpectedly that de- 
stroys the interest ; because we do not see each 
event arise out of the preceding, but a magician 
comes in to cut the knot. The fault then is, not 
in its being out of the real course of nature, but 
out of the calculation and rules of the tale before 
us ; like the introducing of dice at chess, And 
this rule holds equally in tales which have in 
them nothing supernatural, e.g. releasing a cap- 
tive hero by an earthquake that splits the walls 
of his prison ; or destroying his enemies by 
lightning. 

The supernatural then may be made probable ; 
and is peculiarly amusing to the young. Perhaps 
too as being further removed from reality, it is 
the less liable to confuse their notions of actual 
life: which is the danger of fiction in general, 
and particularly of many of the modern tales. 
They present an unfaithful picture of the world 
which they profess to be closely imitating, and 



PREFACE. IX 

the false moral they often involve, is thus the 
less easily detected. 

The following extract from an article in the 
Quarterly Review (1821) is much to the present 
purpose : — 

6 When all the characters and events are very 
far removed from what we see around us, — when, 
perhaps, even supernatural agents are introduced, 
the reader may indulge, indeed, in occasional day- 
dreams, but will be so little reminded of what 
he has been reading, by anything that occurs 
in actual life, that though he may perhaps feel 
some disrelish for the tameness of the scene 
before him, compared with the fairy-land he has 
been visiting, yet, at least, his judgment will not 
be depraved, nor his expectations misled ; he will 
not apprehend a meeting with Algerine banditti 
on English shores, nor regard the old woman who 
shows him about an antique country-seat, as 
either an enchantress, or the keeper of an im- 
prisoned damsel. But it is otherwise with those 
fictions which differ from common life in little or 
nothing but the improbability of the occurrences : 
the reader is insensibly led to calculate upon 
some of those lucky incidents and opportune co- 
incidences, of which he has been so much accus- 
tomed to read, and which, it is undeniable, may 



X PREFACE. 

take place in real life; and to feel a sort of 
confidence, that however romantic his conduct 
may be, and in whatever difficulties it may in- 
volve him, all will be sure to come right at 
last, as is invariably the case with the hero of 
a novel. 

' On the other hand, so far as these pernicious 
effects fail to be produced, so far does the ex- 
ample lose its influence, and the exercise of 
poetical justice is rendered vain. The reward 
of virtuous conduct being brought about by for- 
tunate accidents, he who abstains (taught, per- 
haps, by bitter disappointments) from reckoning 
on such accidents, wants that encouragement to 
virtue, which alone has been held out to him. 
6 If I were a man in a novel J we remember to 
have heard an ingenious friend observe, 'I should 
certainly act so and so 5 because I should be sure 
of being no loser by the most heroic self-devo- 
tion, and of ultimately succeeding in the most 
daring enterprises.' 

' Perhaps, indeed, the supernatural fable is of 
the two not only the less mischievous in its 
moral effects, but also the more correct kind of 
composition in point of taste. The author lays 
down a kind of hypothesis of the existence of 
ghosts, witches, or fairies, and professes to de- 



PREFACE. XI 

scribe what would take place under that hypo- 
thesis. The novelist, on the contrary, makes 
no demand of extraordinary machinery, but 
professes to describe what may actually take 
place, according to the existing laws of human 
affairs. If he therefore present us with a series 
of events quite unlike any which ever do take 
place, we have reason to complain that he has 
not made good his professions.' 

That the trials and triumphs of virtue may 
be clearly and advantageously exhibited in con- 
nexion with that machinery so captivating to the 
youthful mind, the tales before us beautifully 
evince. 

But there is another and most important re- 
quisite in fiction — not only should the lessons 
unfolded be virtuous in their tendency, but pure 
in the ideas brought by them before the mind. 
I consider this of vital importance. The best 
moral becomes highly injurious when associated 
in a tale with what is bad. To poison the chan- 
nels by which pleasure and improvement are 
conveyed to the youthful mind, seems indeed a 
work suitable to the Evil One. Yet how en- 
tirely was this last requisite— which is essential 
to instructive fiction, viz. purity — neglected in 
the age happily past, by professed moral writers. 



Xll PREFACE. 

Making the largest allowances for grossness of 
taste, it is unaccountable. 

This poisonous taint infected the tales before 
us, injured them in the view of every person of 
pure taste, and excluded, or should have ex- 
cluded, them altogether from the juvenile library. 
The evil appeared at first sight difficult to re- 
medy ; but it is hoped that the purification has 
been accomplished, without injury in most in- 
stances, to the interest of the tale, and in some 
perhaps with improvement in point of unity and 
general interest. 



\ 



ADVERTISEMENT 

TO THE SECOND EDITION. 



rpHE selection of these Tales, and the needful 
purification of them, are the work of an 
author (now deceased) well-known to the public 
by several valuable publications, chiefly for the 
amusement and instruction of the young. 

The present edition has been carefully revised; 
but no considerable alteration has been made, 
beyond the correction of some verbal inaccuracies 
which had crept in. 



Palace, Dublin, 
1860. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

INTRODUCTION 1 

THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES ; OR, THE HISTORY 

OF THE MERCHANT ABUDAH ... 5 

HIS ADVENTURE IN THE VALLEY OF BOCCHDI . 9 

SECOND ADVENTURE, IN THE GROVES OF SHA- 

DASKI 24 

THIRD ADVENTURE, IN THE KINGDOM OE TASGI 34 

FOURTH ADVENTURE, AMONG THE SAGES OF 

NEMA 41 

KELAUN AND GUZZARAT 59 

THE ENCHANTERS \ OR, MISNAR, THE SULTAN 

OF INDIA 91 

THE HISTORY OF MAHOUD I I 5 

CONTINUATION OF THE TALE OF THE EN- 
CHANTERS jAA 

THE HISTORY OF THE PRINCESS OF CASSIMIR, 
AND THE CONCLUSION OF THE ADVENTURES 
OF MISNAR 213 



SADAK AND KALASRADE 



246 



THE 

TALES OF THE GENII. 



INTRODUCTION. 

PATNA and Coulor, the children of Giualar, the 
Iman of Terki, were the pride of their parents, 
and the wonder of the inhabitants of Mazanderan. 
Their aged father took them daily into a grove of 
oranges and citrons which surrounded a fountain 
in his garden, and seating them under the shadow 
of those fragrant trees, beside the pure basin, after 
he had first dipped them in its waters to wash 
away the bad impressions of the world, he thus 
began his instructive lesson : — 

' Hearken, ye tender branches, to your parent 
stock : bend to the lessons of instruction, and imbibe 
the maxims of age and<experience ! As the pismire 
creeps not to its labour till led by its elders ; as the 
young eagle soars not to the sun but under the 
shadow of its mother's wing ; so neither doth the 
child of mortality spring forth to action, unless 
the parent hand point out its destined labour. 

1 But no labour shall the hand of Giualar appoint 
unto Patna and Coulor, except the worship of Alia, 
the first of Beings, and of Mahomet, the great 
prophet of the faithful. 

' Base are the desires of the flesh, and mean the 
pursuits of the sons of earth! they stretch out 
B 



2 TALES OF THE GENII. 

their sinews like the patient mule ; they persevere 
in their chase after trifles, as the camel in the 
desert. As the leopard springs on his prey, so 
doth man rejoice over his riches, and bask in the 
sun of slothfulness like the lion's cub. 

1 On the stream of life float the bodies of the 
careless and intemperate, as the carcasses of the 
dead on the waves of the Tigris. 

c The vultures of the sky destroy the carcass, 
and man is devoured by the sins of his flesh. 

' Eetire from men, my children, like the pelican 
in the wilderness, and fly with the wild ass's colt 
into the deserts of peace.' 

As Giualar uttered these words, he perceived an 
unusual fragrance issue from a large citron-tree, 
which was planted opposite the tender parent and 
his attentive children, which in a moment dropping 
its leaves, the trunk swelled into human propor- 
tion, and discovered to their view a bright female 
form. 

c Giualar,' said the Genius, ' I approve your care, 
and am pleased to see your little progeny thus 
instructed from the mouth of their parent. A 
father is blessed in the wisdom of his children, 
and the tongue of a fool shall pierce the heart of 
his mother. But why is Giualar so careful to pre- 
vent his offspring from entering into life ? Alia 
has made them the children of the world, and their 
labour is a debt which they must not refuse their 
fellow-citizens. To drive them into the desert 
would be indeed to make them the companions of 
savages and brutes, but the wise purposes of Alia 
must not be prevented. No man is master of him- 
self, but the public is lord over him ; and to en- 
deavour to defeat the purposes of Heaven is madness 
and folly. Rightly does Giualar caution hi s children 
to avoid the follies and vices of life, but they must 



INTRODUCTION. 3 

be subject to temptations ere their worth be ap- 
proved. Suffer me, therefore, good Iman, to carry 
your children where they shall hear the lessons of 
humanity from the lips of our immortal race, and 
where they shall learn, from the failings or virtues 
of others, to guide their steps aright through the 
valleys of life.' 

Giualar was transported at the offer of the Genius, 
and, falling down before her, was about to offer 
her his prayers and praises : but she raising him 
up, ' Iman,' said she, ' pay thy vows to Alia 
alone, and not to the beings which, however thy 
superiors, are yet the work of his hands. The 
moon is now between us and the eye of day ; ere 
it surround the inhabitants of earth, Patna and 
Coulor shall return unto their parents ; rejoice at 
the favour shown unto thy race, and rest in peace 
till a new moon bring them back into thy arms.' 
So saying, she embraced the young Patna and 
Coulor, and, leaping into the fountain, disappeared 
with her prize. 

In a few moments the children of Giualar found 
themselves oh a wide extended plain, which was 
terminated at one end by a noble palace. Moang, 
the Genius who led them, bade them observe that 
building. ' It is there,' said the kind female, ' that 
Patna and Coulor must learn to know good from 
evil, light from darkness. But one thing observe, 
my children, that silence be upon your lips ; hear, 
and see, and learn, but offer not to mingle speech 
with the Genii of mankind.' 

As soon as they arrived at the palace, Moang led 
her little charge into a spacious saloon, where, on 
twenty-eight thrones of gold, sat the good race of 
Genii, and beneath, on carpets covering the whole 
saloon, were numberless of the lower class of 
Genii, each with two or more of the faithful under 
B2 



4 TALES OF THE GENII. 

their charge, who were permitted to hear the in- 
structive lessons of that useful race. 

Iracagem, whose throne and canopy was more 
exalted than the rest, first began. 

' race of immortals/ said the silver-bearded 
sage, ' to whose care and protection the offspring of 
clay are committed, say, what hath been the suc- 
cess of your labours ; what vices have you pun- 
ished ; what virtues rewarded ; what false lights 
have you extinguished ? Helpless race of mortals ! 
but for our protection, how vain would be your 
toils, how endless your researches ! — Say, virtuous 
companion,' said he to the Genius that was seated 
nearest him, ' let us hear what have been the effects 
of thy tutelary care ? ' 

At these words, the Genius arose from his 
throne, and standing before it with a decent awe, 
thus began his pleasing adventure : 

' At your command, sage Iracagem, my voice 
shall not remain in silence : small as my abilities 
are in the preservation of the human race, yet 
have I endeavoured to act according to the precepts 
of our master Mahomet ; and the success that has 
attended my labours may be in some measure 
known from the History of the Merchant Abudah.' 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 



TALE I. 

THE TALISMAN OF OEOMANES; OE, THE 
HISTOKY OF THE MERCHANT ABUDAH. 

IN the centre of the quay of Bagdat, where the 
wealth of the whole earth is poured forth for the 
benefit of the faithful, lived the fortunate Abudah, 
possessed of the merchandize and riches of many 
various nations, caressed by the mighty, and blessed 
by the indigent ; daily providing for thousands by 
his munificence, and winning daily the hearts of 
thousands by his charity and generosity. But 
however magnificently or royally the days of Abu- 
dah might be spent, his nights were the nights of 
disturbance and affliction. His wife, who was 
fairer than the fairest beauties of Circassia; his 
children, who were lovelier than the offspring of 
the Fairies ; and his riches, which were greater 
than the desires of man could consume ; were un- 
availing to drive from his imagination the terrors 
of the night : for no sooner was the merchant re- 
tired within the walls of his chamber, than a little 
box, which no art might remove from its place, ad- 
vanced without help into the centre of the chamber, 
and, opening, discovered to his sight the form of a 
diminutive old hag, who, with crutches, hopped 
forward to Abudah, and every night addressed him 
in the following terms : — c O Abudah, to whom 
Mahomet hath given such a profusion of blessings, 
why delayest thou to search out the talisman of 
Oromanes ? the which, whoever possesseth, shall 



6 TALES OF THE GENII. 

know neither uneasiness nor discontent ; neither 
may he be assaulted by the tricks of fortune, or 
the power of man. Till you are possessed of that 
valuable treasure, Abudah, my presence shall 
nightly remind you of your idleness, and my chest 
remain for ever in the chambers of your repose.' 

Having thus said, the hag retired into her box, 
shaking her crutches, and, with an hideous yell, 
closed herself in, and left the unfortunate Mer- 
chant on a bed of doubt and anxiety for the rest of 
the night. 

This unwelcome visitant still repeating her 
threats, rendered the life of Abudah most miserable 
and fatiguing : neither durst he tell his grievance, 
lest the strangeness of the adventure should rather 
move the laughter than the compassion of his 
friends. At length, however, wearied out with the 
strange and importunate demands of this nightly 
hag, he ventured to open his mind ; and, in the 
midst of his friends, asked publicly, as he was 
feasting in his saloon, who could give any account 
of the talisman of Oromanes, or the place where 
it was preserved? To this question his friends 
could return him no satisfactory answer ; they had 
all indeed heard of its virtues, but despaired of 
finding it ; so that Abudah was forced to return 
again to the upbraiding of his nocturnal hag, and 
knew not what course to steer in pursuit of the 
appointed treasure. 

The next day he caused it to be cried publicly 
in the streets of Bagdat, 'that Abudah the Mer- 
chant would give' much riches to the man who 
could inform him where the talisman of Oromanes 
was lodged.' This declaration was made for many 
days successively ; but no one appeared to satisfy 
the inquiries of the impatient Abudah. 

After many days, a poor traveller, who had been 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 7 

spoiled of his goods by the Arabians, passing 
through Bagdat, heard the publication, and imme- 
diately offered to go before Abudah, and make 
known the place where the talisman of Oromanes 
was preserved. The friends of the wealthy Mer- 
chant joyfully carried the poor traveller to the 
palace of Abudah, and with great tumult intro- 
duced him to the Merchant, who was sitting, on a 
low sofa, and seemed entirely indifferent to the 
music which played before him, the dessert of ele- 
gancies which was prepared for his food, and the 
caresses of his wife and children, who endeavoured, 
by their tenderness and affection, to divert the 
gloom that overshadowed him. 

'Abudah,' cried his friends — lifting up their 
voices together — ' behold the discoverer of the 
talisman of Oromanes ! ' 

At their voices, the afflicted Merchant looked 
up, like one awakened from a dream. 

' This,' said his friends, presenting the poor tra- 
veller to him, ' this is the man who will engage to 
point out to you the talisman of Oromanes.' 

The traveller was now about to begin his rela- 
tion, when Abudah, having eyed him round, com- 
manded the apartment to be cleared, that no one 
but himself might enjoy the discovery. His family 
and friends obediently departed; and the traveller, 
being left alone with the Merchant, thus began his 
tale : 

1 Your fortune and attendance, wealthy citizen 
of Bagdat, allow of your search after the talisman 
of Oromanes ; but to the poor and needy, to the 
outcasts of fortune, no such happiness is permitted: 
they may indeed wander and examine, but the 
talisman is for ever shut up from their search ; for 
infinite are the expenses which attend the dis- 
covery, and large the rewards which must be given 



8 TALES OF THE GENII. 

to those who help the inquirer forward in his ad- 
venture after the sacred talisman. Myself, Mer- 
chant, have slaved through life to obtain a sufficiency 
for that great end and purpose : but since the 
Prophet has repeatedly blasted my designs and 
reduced me to my original state of want, I must 
endeavour to wean my affections, and rest contented, 
though unblest.' 

' But, my friend,' said Abudah, ' you neglect to 
inform me where I may find or purchase this hea- 
venly talisman/ 

' It is lodged,' replied the poor traveller, ' in 
the Valley of Bocchim : princes are its guardians, 
and it is treasured up amidst all the riches of the 
earth ; you cannot obtain admittance there, unless 
you go loaded with every variety that is costly and 
expensive, which you must present to the Genii, 
who keep watch over this earthly paradise of riches ; 
and if your present be not sufficiently costly, your 
labour is lost.' 

' 1 have,' cried Abudah, rejoiced to hear the 
talisman might be obtained by riches, { nine thou- 
sand acres of pasturage around the rivers of 
Bagdat ; I have twelve thousand estates of fruits, 
and oils, and corn ; I have twenty- two mines of 
the finest diamonds, and six hundred vessels which 
fish for, and produce me the most costly pearls ; I 
have, moreover, eight hundred warehouses, and 
four hundred store-rooms filled with the most 
precious bales of silks and brocades ; besides these, 
the fortunes of nine viziers, mortgaged for a hun- 
dred years, and all the beautiful slaves of Circassia, 
are at my disposal.' 

' O happy, happy Abudah ! ' interrupted the poor 
traveller, * thine and only thine, is it to purchase a 
passage into the Valley of Bocchim.' 

' If so,' continued Abudah, overjoyed at the poor 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 9 

I 
traveller's exclamation, ' direct me instantly to the 
entrance of the Valley/ 

' Alas, sir/ answered the traveller, ' it is in the 
Deserts of Arabia, seventeen days' journey hence : 
besides, your presents are not ready, nor your 
guard, lest the Arabs spoil you of your riches, and 
prevent your application at the entrance of the 
Valley of Bocchim: but if you will permit your 
servant to direct you in the choice of the presents, 
some of which will take much time in preparing, 
by the next spring you may set forward, and 
speedily find an issue to your journey.' 

Abudah acquiesced in the arguments of the tra- 
veller; and having given orders that he should 
use as he pleased his immense riches, he gave 
himself entirely up to the meditation of the 
intended journey. The poor traveller, having suf- 
ficient powers, disposed of the riches of Abudah, 
to purchase the necessary presents ; and hired five 
thousand archers to accompany the wealthy caravan 
of the Merchant into the Deserts. 

The appointed time being arrived, and every 
thing prepared, Abudah took a tender leave of his 
wife and family, and began his journey with the 
poor traveller to the Valley of Bocchim. 



THE MERCHANT ABUDAH S ADVENTURE IN THE 
VALLEY OF BOCCHIM. 

On the ninth day of the third month, ere the sun 
was risen on the mosques of Bagdat, was the 
sumptuous caravan drawn up in long order through 
the streets of that city, which Abudah beheld from 
his windows. 

Five hundred archers, mounted on the fleetest 



IO TALES OF THE GENII. 

coursers, led trie van ; behind whom were twelve 
thousand oxen, thirty thousand sheep, and two 
hundred of the finest horses of Arabia. Next to 
these, came six hundred men armed with pole-axes 
and scimitars, with silken banners, displaying the 
blessings of pasturage, and the utility and con- 
veniency of cattle for the service of mau. After 
these were driven two hundred camels, laden with 
all manner of dried and preserved fruits ; a thou- 
sand more with all sorts of grain ; a thousand with 
the richest wines ; and five hundred with the most 
pure oil ; five hundred more with spices and per- 
fumes ; and behind these, a thousand armed hus- 
bandmen, singing the blessings of the earth, 
burning in censers the most costly perfumes, and 
bearing flaxen and silken banners, representing 
the Seasons and annual Labours of Husbandry. 
— These were of the first day's procession. 

The second day's cavalcade began with five 
hundred miners armed with sledges and hammers, 
whom a large car followed, drawn by twenty strong 
oxen, having within it all the implements of iron ; 
and above, in the upper part, a hero, who com- 
manded the armed men in the whole procession. 
Then came ^.Ye hundred artificers ; arid after them, 
a car drawn by twenty mules, with the implements 
of lead, and a curious artisan on the top of the 
car, singing the Uses of Metals. Behind these, 
came ^ve hundred more artificers, with their dif- 
ferent tools, and a car drawn by twenty horses, 
with cast figures, statues and implements of brass, 
and a cunning artificer on the top of the car. 
After these, followed a thousand artificers in silver, 
and a sumptuous car of solid silver, drawn by fifty 
unicorns, and laden with plate and silver coin ; 
also a hundred camels behind, laden also with 
silver ; and on the car sat the steward of Abudah. 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. II 

At a small distance from these came forward a 
thousand men armed cap-a-pie, after the manner of 
Saracens ; and behind these followed, on sump- 
tuous mules, five hundred of the principal foreign 
merchants, richly habited with the emblems of 
Commerce curiously wrought in their garments, 
who were followed by an enormous ear, drawn by 
four elephants, laden with golden emblems and 
devices, with great quantities of that precious metal : 
the car also was of beaten gold. Into this, taking 
leave of Abudah, ascended the poor traveller, 
arrayed in purple and gold, and pointing, with 
a gold rod, toward the Valley of Bocchim. — And 
these completed the second day's procession. 

On the third day issued forth from the gates of 
Bagdat, the final procession of the caravan of the 
Merchant Abudah. — A thousand archers began the 
ceremony, preceded by a martial band of music, and 
bearing among their ranks fifty silken streamers 
interwoven with gold, and having the emblems of 
Abudah' s family wrought in their centres, Next 
to these, came fifty carriages, laden with the rich- 
est silks and brocades, and two hundred men sur- 
rounded the carriages, arrayed in the different 
habits of two hundred nations ; after whom came 
fifty negroes on dromedaries, bearing about their 
necks strings of the most costly pearls. After 
these, a thousand armed soldiers, after the Euro- 
pean manner, who, at a small distance, were 
followed by a hundred mutes, behind whom came, 
in two hundred palanquins, as many beautiful 
slaves from Circassia, each guarded by four eunuchs, 
and clad in the richest robes. 

The next in procession was the Merchant Abu- 
dah, drawn in a chariot of pearl, of the most 
curious workmanship, by ten milk-white steeds, 
whose trappings were of gold. As to the gar- 



12 TALES OF THE GENII. 

ments of the Merchant, nothing could be conceived 
more magnificent; but the splendour of the jewels 
that were interwoven with the clothing exceeded 
the most lavish description : on each side the 
chariot, a hundred musicians attended, and fifty 
slaves burning the choicest perfumes ; various 
splendid banners waved around him, and two 
hundred friends behind, of the highest rank in 
the city of Bagdat, attended the illustrious and 
wealthy Abudah ; after whom a thousand archers, 
and numberless camels, laden with all manner of 
provision, water, and wine, brought up the rear of 
this magnificent cavalcade. 

On the thirteenth day, they halted in a plain, 
bounded on the side with lofty mountains, and, 
at the farther end, with a deep forest of cedars 
and palms. Here the poor traveller, descending 
with Abudah, walked forward toward the forest 
before them. 

The traveller led Abudah into the forest through 
thickets, almost impervious, save the blind path 
which guided them forward. In this manner, 
they passed till the evening ; when the traveller, 
entering a cave, disappeared from the wondering 
Abudah. The Merchant essayed to follow him, 
but looking into the cave, it seemed to have no 
bottom, therefore he was obliged to desist. 

The sun was now sinking from the mountains, 
and the glowing skies seemed to tip the woods 
with their reddening light. Abudah, being fatigued, 
first sought out a tree, and climbing into it, re- 
solved there to await the dawn of the morning ; 
but the severe fatigues had so much exhausted 
him, that, although he had resolved to watch till 
the morning, yet sleep soon overpowered him, and 
made him forget either the wonders or the dangers 
that surrounded him. 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 13 

Abudah, in the morning, when he awakened, was 
surprised at an unusual glitter about him ; and 
looking more stedfastly, he found the tree on 
which he sat to be of pure gold, and the leaves 
of silver, with fruit like rubies hanging in clusters 
on the branches. Looking around, he also beheld 
the face of the country as though it had been 
changed: for on every side appeared the most 
glorious palaces that eye could conceive, glittering 
with gold, silver, and precious stones ; so that the 
whole appeared more like a heavenly than an 
earthly situation. 

Descending full of wonder from the tree, he 
found the ground he trod on to be gold dust, 
and the stones pearls ; these were covered with 
flowers, which seemed formed of vegetable crys- 
tal, emeralds, and amethysts : trees and shrubs 
of silver and gold met his eye, growing almost 
visibly about him. At the farther end of the 
prospect he beheld a vast and expanded dome, 
which seemed to cover a whole plain, and rose 
to the clouds. This dome shone so brightly by 
the reflection of the costly materials of which it 
was composed, that he could hardly look toward 
it. However, as it seemed most to attract his 
attention, he advanced up to the door. 

The dome, which was of entire gold, stood 
upon three hundred pillars of precious stones; 
one emerald formed the shaft of one pillar, one 
diamond the capital, and one ruby the pedestal : 
the intermediate spaces between the pillars were 
of crystal, one piece between each pillar : so that 
the inside of the dome was visible from all parts. 
The architrave was of solid pearl, inlaid with 
curious emblems, composed of festoons of ame- 
thysts, topazes, carbuncles, rubies, emeralds, sap- 
phires, and the most sparkling diamonds. 



14 TALES OF THE GENII. 

Abudah, though the richest of mankind, was 
struck with astonishment at the profusion of 
riches and beauty which he beheld ; and entering 
at one of the four portals (for the dome had four, 
one to each quarter of the heavens), he beheld 
an ancient Form, seated on a throne, which looked 
too bright to distinguish of what glorious mate- 
rials it was made. A great number of crowned 
heads attended on him ; and these were supported 
by inferior beings, all clad in the most superb 
vestments. All around the dome were placed, 
with great beauty and symmetry, numberless 
heaps of wealth and riches ; and the very pave- 
ment on which he trod was covered over with 
tapestry carpet, representing the riches of the 
earth in all their natural colours. 

Abudah, as abashed at this amazing magnifi- 
cence, and beholding such personages within the 
dome, was retiring ; when one of the chief of the 
attendants, who stood nearest the throne, advanc- 
ing, beckoned Abudah forward. The Merchant 
obeyed with trembling, and, as he came forward, 
bowed himself to the ground; which the royal 
personage perceiving, who sat on the throne, spake 
thus to him : — 

1 Fear not, Abudah, thou hast ever been a 
favourite of the Genius of Biches. I am thy 
friend ; and this journey which thou hast under- 
taken in honour of me, in hopes here to find the 
talisman of the great Oromanes, shall not go un- 
rewarded. And first, lead Abudah,' said he to the 
Genius who had presented the Merchant, ' through 
all my stores, and let him view the riches of the 
earth; — a sight that so many thousands long 
ardently to enjoy.' 

The inferior Genius obeyed : and, taking Abu- 
dah by the hand, he led him toward a royal 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 1 5 

palace, facing the eastern side of the dome. Here, 
as Abudah entered the palace, the walls of which 
were of the purest silver, with windows of crystal, 
he beheld incredible heaps of that precious metal, 
all seemingly composed like branches of trees. 

' What thou seest here,' said the Genius, ' is 
trifling; for these heaps, which seem to lie on 
the surface of the ground, really are of the same 
depth with the centre of the earth; so that of 
this metal alone, there is laid up more in value 
than all the visible riches of the world.' 

The Genius next carried Abudah to a second 
palace, built of pure gold, having windows like 
the first. Here, also, Abudah beheld a similar 
profusion of gold, which, like the silver, continued 
down to the centre. Next he was shown, in a 
huge building of adamant, a cistern filled with the 
fragments of all manner of precious stones and 
diamonds. 

' These also,' said the Genius, ' are not termi- 
nated but by the centre of the earth. Now,' 
continued he, ( as you observed in the two first 
palaces, the silver and gold are the little branches 
which drop from the trees of this vegetable valley 
of riches ; for all things on earth are subject to 
decrease, which are here carefully collected (for 
the rich are not exempt from toil), and placed in 
these repositories, the bottoms of which, at the 
centre of the earth, are grated, and let out sparingly 
these smaller fragments : so likewise of the jewels, 
which fall like fruit from the trees, and break into 
little pieces ; these are all thrown together to serve 
the earth, but none above such a size are admitted, 
nor, indeed, could they pass through the grating 
below. Thus these metals and jewels, mixing 
with the earth, and being diffused in its bowels, 
are at length stopped by rocks and stones, and so 



1.6 TALES OF THE GENII. 

form mines in different parts of the world, each 
requiring the industry and labour of man that 
they may be brought the more sparingly into the 
world.' 

Abudah, having viewed these things, returned ; 
and being presented to the Genius of Kiches, — 
' Now,' said the Genius, ' bring forth the iron chest, 
wherein, it is said, the talisman of Oromanes is 
lodged.' 

At the command of the Genius, ten of an in- 
ferior order brought in a huge chest with fifty 
locks upon it ; the chest itself was of iron, and 
bound round with the strongest bands, which were 
harder than adamant. ( There,' said the Genius 
to Abudah, ' there is thy reward : return to Bagdat, 
and live in peace all the days of thy life. 5 

' Must I then,' replied Abudah, ' beneficent 
Genius ! carry with me the chest also ? or is it 
permitted that I take thence the talisman of 
Oromanes?' 

* Wouldst thou then,' replied the Genius, ' take 
it from its place of security # Whilst thou dost 
possess the chest, the talisman is thine own, and 
the force of man cannot bereave thee of it. Why 
then should curiosity prevail over security ? It is 
written in the chronicles of time, that he who 
possesseth the talisman of Oromanes shall be 
happy : seek not, therefore, to disentangle the talis- 
man from its present state of security, till it fail 
thee of its promised efficacy. Take, however, these 
fifty keys : but beware, lest thy curiosity alone 
tempt thee : for what mortal can say if its reful- 
gence be not too much for man to behold ! ' 

Having thus said, the Genius commanded Abudah 
to lie down on the chest ; and immediately his eyes 
closed, and not till the morning after did he awake, 
and find himself in a tent, on the plain where he 



THE TALISMAN OF 0R0MANES. 1J 

had left his immense caravan : but now he found 
only forty camels and forty servants to attend him. 

Abudah inquired of his servants what became 
of the riches and attendants that had travelled 
from Bagdat with him to that plain? but they 
could give no answer. They said, indeed, that 
they knew of such caravan, and that they had for 
some time missed their master from Bagdat; and 
that although they went overnight to their rest in 
his house at Bagdat, they found themselves, with 
the tents, and forty camels laden with provision, 
on that plain in the morning ; and that, coming 
into his tent, they saw him sleeping on an iron 
chest, and had removed him to the sofa. — ' And 
is the chest here?' cried Abudah. — ' Here is, sir/ 
replied the slave that spoke, i an iron chest of 
prodigious size, and secured with many locks.' 

Abudah immediately arose ; and, though he could 
not unravel the mysteries of his journey, yet, seeing 
the chest, and finding the keys which the Genius 
had given him, he was contented, and ordered them 
to strike their tents, r.nd begin their march for the 
city of Bagdat. The chest was by long poles made 
fast to four camels, which were placed in the centre 
of the caravan. 

The mind of Abudah, though in possession of 
the chest, was yet not without its apprehensions 
that the wild Arabs might come down upon his 
little party, and bereave him of his treasure. The 
first day the caravan reached a pool of water, and 
on its banks the careful Abudah ordered his retinue 
to pitch their tents, and unload the camels from 
their burthens ; and, at the same time, placed four 
of his slaves as sentinels, toward the four different 
quarters of his encampment ; and ordered the chest, 
for the greater security, to be buried in the sand 
under his tent, while he endeavoured to compose 
C 



1 8 TALES OF THE GENII, 

himself for slumber. Nor were his fears unreason- 
able ; for at the hour of midnight a small party of 
Arabs stole down toward them, in order to encamp 
there for the benefit of the water. 

Abudah had notice from his slave, who looked 
toward the west, of their approach, and was like- 
wise informed that their number was small; but 
such was his anxiety and irresolution, and fear of 
losing his treasure or his life, that he dared not 
order them to be attacked, or prepare for flight. 
During this ineffectual altercation and struggle of 
Abudah with his fears, one of the slaves, more 
daring than the rest, finding his master fearful, en- 
couraged his comrades, and, marshalling them in 
order, led them toward the robbers. 

The Arabs, who were not more than twenty in 
number, at sight of a force so much superior, turned 
their backs, and left Abudah's slave in quiet pos- 
session of their tents. But now the slave, seeing 
the Arabs flying from before him, and observing 
the fear of his master, and the great concern he 
had for the iron chest, addressed himself to the 
rest of the slaves, and declaring what immense 
treasures there might lie hid in that chest, seeing 
their master had left Bagclat to search for it, and 
had it secured with so many locks, persuaded them 
to rob Abudah, and depart with the riches to some 
other country, where they might enjoy the fruits of 
their rapine. This being easily agreed to, they all 
in a body advanced to the tent of Abudah, who 
came out to meet and thank them for their gallant 
behaviour. 

The bold slave thus made answer to his master's 
thanks : — ' The danger, Abudah, of defending thy 
riches contained in the iron chest with many locks, 
fell all upon thy slaves ; whilst thou, who wert to 
enjoy the comfort of those riches, didst lie trembling 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 19 

in thy tent : wherefore we, who have borne the 
burthen, mean also to share the profits with thee ; 
but, that thou mayest see that we are just, one 
equal share shall be thy portion, and the rest be- 
longs to those who have preserved to thee even the 
share that will be appointed thee.' These words 
being ended, without any regard to either the 
threatenings or prayers of Abudah, they dug up 
the chest ; and having cleared away the sand, de- 
manded of him the keys of the fifty locks. 

Abudah, finding them inexorable, besought them 
that they would at least give him a day to consider 
of their proposal. * What ! ' replied the bold slave, 
' a day ? Why, Merchant, long ere that will a 
thousand Arabs be upon us, invited by those that 
are fled ; and we shall suffer death, and you and 
all entirely lose the valuable possessions which 
are doubtless contained in that strong chest of iron.' 

It was in vain that, in return, the Merchant 
assured them that there was nothing within but a 
poor talisman, whose virtues they could not know, 
and promised them all liberty and riches, if they 
arrived safe in Bagdat with the chest. They had 
gone too far to trust to his promises ; and the 
slave who was their ringleader, ordering all to 
retire, left Abudah for half-an-hour to think of 
their proposal. 

Abudah, as soon as they had left him, threw 
himself upon the chest, as one who was grasping 
all that was dear unto him, and, with a loud sigh, 
began to lament his fate : when, as before, a deep 
sleep overtaking him, he sunk motionless on his 
treasure. 

At midnight he awaked, and, turning his eyes 

around, perceived he was in the apartments of his 

seraglio in Bagdat, and that his wife was sleeping 

near him on a sofa. The recollection of his happy 

C2 



20 TALES OF THE GENII. 

escape immediately got possession of his mind ; 
and he doubted not but he should find his chest as 
he had before. Wherefore, before he saluted, or 
indeed thought of his wife, taking one of the 
sweet-scented lamps, that always were burning in 
the centre of the apartment, he perceived the chest 
in the very comer where, before, the box which 
had caused him so much uneasiness used to remain 
fixed. 

Abudah, now feeling for, and taking out, the 
fifty keys, thought himself the happiest of man- 
kind. The danger which he conceived the talisman 
might be in, from lying in a chest so conspicuous, 
and which he had already experienced, determined 
him, at all hazards, to unlock with his fifty keys 
the iron chest, and take the talisman out, and 
always wear it concealed about him. With this 
view he began to try the first key, which, to his 
amazement, would fit neither of the fifty locks. 
At this he began to suspect that either the Genius 
of Riches had mistaken (which he could hardly 
suppose), or that some evil Genius had changed 
them in his bosom. — ' However,' said he to him- 
self, ' perhaps as one key will open none, one also 
may open all : ' so, taking out one by one, he tried 
them all ; but neither of the fifty keys would open 
a single lock. 

Abudah, at this discovery, flung himself on the 
sofa, and began to lament his miserable fate : but 
he soon resolved to try the keys a second time : 
' for,' said he, ' some key I have possibly missed, 
and such a treasure cannot be expected without 
much labour and pains.' At this he rose up, and 
was going toward the chest ; when starting at 
a noise in the centre of the room, he beheld the 
little box, which had been the first cause of all bis 
grief ; and was saluted by the old hag, who hob- 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 21 

bled out from her confinement, and began to 
terrify the afflicted Merchant, in the following 
terms : — 

' 0, senseless Abudah ! to hope that the talis- 
man of Oromanes might be bought with riches ! 
Thou hast indeed a chest, but thou hast neither 
the means, nor canst thou force open this chest to 
search for thy treasure : what, then, art thou the 
better for thy possession, or the happier for thy 
chest of iron ? It will, indeed, convey thee where 
thou desirest, and thou mayest rest upon it; but, 
waking, thou feelest the tortures of anxiety, and 
feelest them the sharper, because thou fearest 
to lose what thou canst not enjoy. Go, then, and 
search till thou findest the keys of the fifty locks ; 
but be not so senseless as to suppose that the 
Genius would have parted with the treasure could 
he have made any use of it. In a far different 
country must thou hope to find those keys which 
will unlock that chest; a joyous country, where 
serenity ever dwells, and pleasure reigns eternal. 
— A short respite will I give thee ; but ere this 
moon be passed, let me find you active, or I shall 
invent double horrors to surround you.' 

Having thus said, the box closed, and in an 
instant Abudah beheld it mounted on the chest, 
which he vainly hoped would have driven such 
a troublesome guest from his house. 

And now Selima, his wife, awaking, beheld with 
surprise her husband Abudah drowned in tears by 
her side. She instantly pressed him in her arms, 
and, in transports, inquired by what happy fate he 
was returned. 

' Why, know you not,' replied Abudah, ' that the 
third morning, as I mounted the car, which the 
traveller had prepared for me, and was arrayed in 
my best vestments of gold and diamonds, having a 



22 TALES OF THE GENII. 

procession the length of two days before me, and 
such a numerous retinue of all the nobles of 
Bagdat, and having archers innumerable attend- 
ing my caravan, which was moving toward the 
valley ' 

'Oh, my dear Abudah,' said Selima, interrupt- 
ing him, 'with what madness hath that wicked 
enchanter possessed you ? What car ? what vest- 
ments? what procession doth my lord talk of? 
There came, indeed (brought by those who called 
themselves your friends), a poor wretch here, who 
has embezzled the greater part of your riches, and 
who often talked in private with you: and this 
continued for some months, during which time 
you never attended to the speech of your friends, 
but seemed wrapped up in that specious villain, 
who at last took you to the room fronting the gate- 
way of the city, and there for two days you con- 
tinued looking out, and seemed to be in raptures, 
talking of more riches than the world contains : 
and the third day, though he still continued by 
you, you persisted he was gone. Yet he went 
forth, and you followed him ; and getting into 
a little vehicle, he placed himself behind you, and 
your family have from that day lamented your 
absence.' 

At this recital, Abudah turned his face on the 
sofa, and spake no more for several hours. At 
last, rising from the sofa, ' Fool, indeed, that I 
was !' said he, ' to trust the account of a miserable 
impostor, or believe that the talisman of Oromanes 
might be purchased with riches ! ' 

' Oh, rather,' replied Selima, ' may my lord find 
peace in this city, and comfort from his family who 
adore him ! ' 

' It was there,' answered the Merchant, ' that I 
once hoped to find it : but satiety, which I will not 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 23 

suffer to breed disgust, forces me at least to be 
indifferent to the pleasures which surround me. 
No, Selima ; I have a nocturnal monitor, who will 
not permit me to rest till I have made myself 
master of the talisman of the perfect Oromanes. 
It is some knowledge to perceive our errors : and, 
at least, I am nearer the possession of the talis- 
man, as my last journey, though it has not given 
me the talisman itself, has yet furnished me with 
the means of obtaining it.' 

Having thus spoken, he seemed for a time easy 
and resigned, and endeavoured by love and tender- 
ness to soothe the affliction of the weeping Selima. 
But the moon had scarcely passed away, when 
the persecuted Merchant was again awakened by 
his midnight hag, and commanded to pursue his 
journey after the talisman of Oromanes. 

Abudah was about to reply, when, on a sudden 
he heard the most ravishing music, and imme- 
diately subtile and precious perfumes filled the 
chamber, and a small cloud, gathering from the roof, 
descended, and expanding, produced to his view a 
most exquisite beauty, habited like the eternal 
Houris, bedecked with chaplets of delicate ever- 
living flowers, holding in one hand a crystal cup, 
and with the other pressing out the sparkling juice 
from a swelling cluster of delicious grapes. 

' Here, faithful Abudah,' began the lovely form, 
1 receive from these humble hands the cup which 
will inspire you with the knowledge of the talis- 
man of Oromanes ; quaff off this delicious draught, 
and, reclining yourself on the iron chest, that 
faithful treasure will, at a wish, convey you to those 
happy realms, where without a guard, the keys of 
all thy pleasures are reserved.' 

At these words, with grace ineffable, she advanced 
to the transported Merchant; who, with thrilling 



24 TALES OF THE GENII. 

joy received from her ivory hands the rich spark- 
ling draught, and sucked it with mad delight. The 
Houri immediately disappeared, and Abudah, falling 
senseless on the chest, resigned himself to sleep, 
and to a second adventure. 



THE SECOND ADVENTURE OF THE MERCHANT ABUDAH ; 
IN THE GtROVES OF SHADASKI. 

Abudah, awaking at the cheerful sounds of innu- 
merahle birds who sat around him and strove for 
mastery in their sweet notes, found himself lying 
in a lovely pavilion, strewed with fresh lilies and 
roses, and filled with the most ravishing perfumes : 
the downy sofa, on which he reclined, w r as of the 
finest silk, wrought with curious devices, and exe- 
cuted with such life and spirit, that flowers seemed, 
in the mimic work, to spring forth from under him. 
The rising sun, which appeared over the blue 
distant hills, and warmed the awaking day ; the 
choristers of the groves, whose melody was softened 
by the gentle motion of the air ; the unspeakable 
elegance of the pavilion, which seemed formed by 
the powers of harmony ; and the delicious fragrance 
of the air ; transported the Merchant with the 
most pleasing sensations : he could not for some 
time believe his existence, but supposed that he 
was still under the influence of the delightful 
vision which had the night before taken possession 
of him. He turned his eyes on all sides to meet 
with new delights ; which, though sumptuous and 
costly, owed more lustre to their delicacy and dis- 
position, than to the expensive materials out of 
which they were formed. 

But if such were the ravishing delights within, 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 25 

Abudah thought them much more than realized 
when he was convinced he was awake ; and, by 
stepping forward out of the pavilion, he beheld 
every enchanting object that art and nature could 
unite. 

The pavilion itself stood upon a rising mount, 
in the midst of a most beautiful green, and was 
partly shaded by some upright palms, and a scat- 
tered grove of oranges and citrons, which on all 
sides, by beautiful breaks, gave a view of the neigh- 
bouring paradise. The centre of the pavilion 
opened to the lawn, which was beset with elegant 
tufts of the most delightful verdure. 

Blushing and transparent fruits peeped from be- 
tween the foliage, and every coloured, every scented 
flower, in agreeable variety intermingled with the 
grass, presented to Abudah's eyes the garden- 
work of luxuriant nature. Here roses, with wood- 
bines entwined, appeared in beauteous contention ; 
here luscious grapes adorned the barren branches 
of the stately elm ; while beneath strayed the rich 
flocks, or birds of various feather ; some in num- 
bers upon the ground, and some paired in trees ; 
which added a new variety to the scene. At the 
bottom of the lawn ran a clear and transparent 
stream, which gently washed the margin of the 
green and seemed to feed it as it passed. On the 
other side, a grove of myrtles, intermixed with 
roses, and flowering shrubs, led into shady mazes; 
in the midst of which appeared the glittering tops 
of other elegant pavilions, some of which stood 
just on the brink of the river ; others had wide 
avenues leading through the groves ; and others 
were almost lost to sight by the intervening woods. 

Abudah, directing his steps towards the stream, 
found there an elegant barge, manned by ten 
beautiful youths, whose garments were of azure, 



26 TALES OF THE GENII. 

trimmed with gold. They beckoned the happy 
Merchant, and received him with the utmost affa- 
bility into their hark ; then, all at once, plying their 
refulgent oars, they made the crystal flood sparkle 
with their ready strokes. The boat rode lightly on 
the stream, and, as it passed through the meanders 
of the current, every moment presented a new and 
striking prospect of beauties to the delighted Abu- 
dah. Hanging rocks of a thousand different hues ; 
woods of spices, and perfumes breathing sweetness 
over the cool stream ; fruits reflected in double 
lustre in the clear waves ; shrubs dropping their 
roses as they passed ; flocks and herds standing 
gazing at their own images in the deep ; others 
drinking of the transparent waters ; and some, 
more satisfied, frisking on the lawns, or chasing 
each other in sport among the trees. 

At length the stream^ growing wider, opened 
into a spacious lake, which was half surrounded 
with a rising hill, on which might be seen, in- 
termixed with groves, a thousand gay pavilions, 
palaces, theatres, rotundos, obelisks, temples, 
pillars, and other curious marks of elegance and 
luxury : various pleasure-boats were sailing on the 
surface of the lake, some with gaudy banners fan- 
ning the winds, others with pleasing structures for 
shade and entertainment ; in one boat, gay music ; 
in another, banquets ; in a third, desserts of the 
finest fruits, viands, cooling liquors ; and gay com- 
pany in all, who looked more blooming than the 
sons of the Genii, or the daughters of the Fairies. 
At the extremities of the swelling hill, ran glitter- 
ing cascades ; and over the pendent rocks dropped 
down the most luxuriant vines, whose modest leaves 
attempted in vain to hide their luscious and trans- 
parent fruit from the curious eye of the observer. 
At the extremity of the lake, which, by its pure 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 2 7 

waters, exposed the yellow golden sand on which 
it wantoned, two streams ran toward the right and 
left of the hill, and lost themselves amidst the 
groves, pastures, lawns, hillocks, and romantic 
scenes of the adjacent country; where lofty gilded 
spires, swelling domes, and other curious labours, 
were partly concealed, and partly discovered, by 
the blue expanse of sky, which at last seemed 
blended with the country, and terminated the pros- 
pect of the Groves of Shadaski. The youthful 
watermen, who in alternate song kept time with 
their oars, were now almost at the farther side of 
the lake, and in the centre of the shore where 
Abudah had beheld the mixed groves, temples, and 
pavilions. A little creek, shaded with myrtles and 
cedars, was the place were Abudah was destined to 
land. Here, as he approached, ten beauteous fair 
ones, dressed like the Genii of the woods, stood 
ready to receive him, which they did with the most 
amiable and pleasing gestures. The boat, having 
landed the Merchant, shot again swiftly over the 
lake, and mixed with the gay pageants- on the 
water, while the fair strangers invited Abudah to- 
wards the palaces which were scattered on the hill. 
Having passed through several fragrant avenues of 
trees laden either with foliage, fruit, or flower, they 
brought him toward an elegant building, whose 
front faced the lake whence they came : here, 
amidst parterres and beds of flowers, a broad plat 
led them to the entrance of the palace, where all 
the lavish ornaments of art and sculpture were 
displayed in the most refined symmetry ; light pol- 
ished shafts, airy devices, highly-finished entabla- 
tures, and other fanciful decorations, formed the 
building, which was more calculated to give the 
ideas of pleasure than magnificence, and had more 
ease than labour conspicuous. 



28 TALES OF THE GENII. 

Into tliis mansion the ten beauties led the way, 
and introduced Abudah into a grand hall, adorned 
with lively groups of delicate statues, in all atti- 
tudes and positions. 

Between the statues were pictures of every joy 
that the senses can conceive — of the different sea- 
sons and their varied charms— of the country and 
the court. A rich banquet was spread before them 
— every luxury, every rarity was there. Abudah 
and his fair company began the banquet, while 
Genii invisible administered to them rich sparkling 
wines, high sauces, congealed liquors : fruits of 
every kind, the nectarine, Persian apple, the lordly 
pine, the luscious grape, the cooling pomegranate, 
the juicy pear, and thousand others, were heaped 
before them, till nature was not only satisfied, but 
tired with the profusion. Then followed the spark- 
ling and racy wines, forbidden indeed by Mahomet, 
but not forbidden in the Groves of Shadaski ; the 
sweetmeats and preserves, and, in short, every 
luxury which could stimulate and arouse the jaded 
appetite. 

During this repast, the fair companions of Abu- 
dah amused him by the varied charms of their 
conversation, and challenged each other with lively 
songs and mirthful jokes. The banquet bringing 
on satiety, after washing, they arose, and this lively 
train led Abudah (the evening now drawing on) 
into the gardens of the palace. 

After walking by several cooling fountains and 
sweet-smelling groves, they came to a magnificent 
terrace, crowded with a thousand gay youths and 
beauties, in the most fantastical masquerades. All 
nations might be seen upon this variegated terrace, 
and the beauties of every clime ; all conversation 
was here indulged, though the pleasures of life 
were the universal topic. Cooling liquors, fruits, 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 29 

cakes, creams, and wines, were spread on the flowery 
banks on each side the terrace, and in arbours of 
oranges and myrtles, or sweet jasmines, where any 
company, as they pleased, retired ; behind the 
trees and shrubs were placed large bands of music, 
sometimes inspiring, and sometimes melting, the 
hearts of their auditors. 

The sun was setting, just as Abudah had gained 
the centre of this extensive terrace, — for his com- 
panions had left him to join what company he 
pleased. Here he perceived on a large green, 
planted round with lofty palms, under which grew 
a thousand shrubs, a most extensive building, of 
an oblong form, and supported by a thousand mag- 
nificent pillars, where the crowd from the terrace 
were retiring. Abudah entered with the rest, and 
advanced into the room, which was lighted up with 
numberless lustres, and furnished all round with 
silken canopies, each having under it sofas of the 
richest velvet. Here the gay assembly, as soon as 
the music from the gallery struck up, began the 
dance, nor could the pleased Merchant refrain from 
the enlivening motion. Thus passed the fleeting 
hours, till on a sudden, while each fair one and 
her partner were resting on the sofas which sur- 
rounded the room, the softest music began to 
sound, and a hundred choristers in masquerade 
habits entered the assembly. These were followed 
by forty young maidens, scattering roses and vio- 
lets around; after which came forward, under a 
canopy, supported by twelve beautiful boys, the 
Queen of Pleasures : at her approach, the company 
arose, and, with the utmost adoration, prostrated 
themselves before her. 

When the Queen was seated on a throne at the 
upper end of the room, and the banquet was about 
to begin, she ordered her maidens to find out the 



30 TALES OF THE GENII. 

stranger who carne yesterday to visit her dominions. 
Immediately Abuclah was brought before her ; who 
prostrating himself at her feet, she, with a smile, 
gave him her hand, and commanded him to rise. ' 

' happy Abudah,' said the Queen of Pleasures, 
c whom the Fates ordained to bring into these de- 
lightful regions the chest of the Valley of Boc- 
chim ! The superior Genii, envying the happiness 
which we inferior Genii enjoyed, contrived to di- 
vide the keys and the chest, which tradition declares 
contains the talisman of Oromanes ; and thou, 
Abudah, art the man who art destined to unite 
them. Worthy, Abudah, for such services, of the 
love of thy slaves ! Come, then, thou prince of 
my affections, and share with me the pleasures of 
these happy groves.' 

She then commanded the company to pay Abu- 
dah the honours they used to pay her ; and, with 
a pressing tenderness, obliged him to share with 
her the throne of Pleasure. Abudah now con- 
ceived himself the happiest of mankind : to be 
chosen by the Queen of Pleasure herself, seemed 
joy too great for mortal senses. 

Time, however, stole onwards ; night, with its 
silence and repose, passed away in the Groves of 
Shadaski ; the morning brought reflection and sa- 
tiety; and Abudah, with some impatience, besought 
the Queen of Pleasures to surrender him the keys 
of the iron chest. 

< My ever-loved Abudah/ replied the Queen, ' be- 
hold the chest in the centre of my temple ; and 
here are the keys for my adventurous hero : go, 
happy Abudah, and purchase a perpetuity of joys 
by the possession of the talisman of the pleasure- 
giving Oromanes.' 

Abudah, having received the keys, jumped for- 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 31 

ward from the pavilion to the middle of the tem- 
ple ; and, like a man just entering on a new 
pursuit, with great impatience hegan to open the 
fifty locks. The locks, being only touched by the 
keys, flew from their staples, and the Merchant, in 
a few minutes, had conquered forty-nine of the 
obstacles of his happiness : as he was opening the 
last, — ' O Queen,' said he, ' come forward, and see 
me finish this desirable adventure ! ' The last 
lock tumbled off just as the Queen arrived at the 
chest ; and Abudah besought her to share with 
him the pleasures of exploring the treasures of 
the chest. But no sooner did the Merchant stoop 
to open the lid of the iron chest, than a sudden 
darkness ensued, and in a moment the loud thunder 
cracked around him, and streams of crooked light- 
nings, with horrid blaze, encircled the astonished 
Abudah. 

The shrieks and cries of the once-gay set, who 
were indulging under the canopies, next struck 
his ears : some, already blasted by the lightning, 
withered away; others, the ruins of the temple 
falling in huge fragments, half-buried in the earth; 
the rest in madness running to and fro in despair, 
tore each other to pieces. The red angry light- 
ning still continuing, Abudah, in the utmost an- 
guish, looked toward the Queen : — when (0 fearful 
sight !) he saw her soft form parching and contract- 
ing by the flames, and her whole body diminishing, 
till by degrees, he beheld the little old hag, with 
fury flashing from her looks. 

' Wretch, as well as fool,' said she, with a voice 
that pierced his inmost sense, 'how darest thou 
presume to seek the talisman of Oromanes amidst 
the vanities and intemperance of this filthy grove? 
But I leave thee to enjoy the situation thou art 



32 TALES OF THE GENII. 

so fond of; be this dungeon thy prison ; here 
wander, and contemplate the pleasures thou hast 
chosen/ 

Thus saying, she struck Abudah with her crutch, 
and vanished from his sight. The touch of her 
noxious hand filled him with aching pains, and the 
dead bodies and the groans of those dying around 
him, inspired the wretched Merchant with horror 
and remorse. 

He wandered for a long time in what he now 
believed an endless cavern, without light ; and, to 
add to his wretchedness, every step he took he trod 
on some venomous creature : the serpents hissed 
at him as he passed ; the toads spat malignant fire; 
and the asps, twining round his legs, spewed their 
venom on him, and marked him with a thousand 
blotches. Thus continued he wandering to and 
fro, with great caution, about the dismal cavern, 
not more tormented with the groans of others than 
his own dismal and heart-aching thoughts, which 
made him weep and tremble every step he took. 

After many weary searches for an end, or place 
to escape, he felt somewhat larger than common 
seize him by the leg ; upon which the poor wretch 
supposed that he was in the gripe of an enormous 
serpent, and began shrieking with fear and terror ; 
when a voice, like that of despair, spoke as 
follows : — 

' What wretch art thou, who yet remainest alive 
in this cavern of desolation and death ? ' 

Abudah, though still in terror, was yet some- 
what comforted to find that he had a companion in 
his miseries, and thus answered him : — 

' I am, indeed, a wretch, misled in my searches 
after the talisman of Oromanes ! ' 

' What ! ' answered the voice, ' wast thou fool 
enough to suppose that pleasure was the road to 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 33 

that noble jewel! — It were then,' continued the 
voice, ' an easy purchase : but rough is the path, 
and high the mount, on which that treasure is 
preserved.' 

'Alas ! ' answered Abudah, ' it matters not to me, 
where or how this talisman is disposed, who am thus 
for ever enclosed in these walls of wretchedness.' 

' We cannot but rise,' answered the voice, ' when 
we are at the bottom ; and perhaps the most barren 
ground will yield the richest mine : be thou but 
resolved to tread the crooked and laborious path, 
and I will instruct thee ; for within these caverns 
begins the winding ascent.' 

' O friend, or Genius, or whatsoever else thou 
art,' returned the Merchant, ' place me but in the 
track, and no dangers shall deter me : for what has 
he to fear, who is beyond hope ! ' 

' Take then,' answered the voice, ' thy way as the 
cavern descends ; and fear not to stoop in order to 
rise ; for in the lowest part of this cavern is situ- 
ated the opening you must ascend.' 

As the voice ended, Abudah found his feet at 
liberty, and began to feel out for the cavern's 
descent. The lower he went, the more filth and 
stench he found ; to which submitting with patience, 
he, by a long passage, sometimes crawling under 
rugged arches, sometimes wading in mud and dirt, 
and in total darkness, attained the end of the 
cavern, where he stumbled on some narrow steps ; 
but could see no light, and was nearly suffocated 
with the noisome vapours. 

The winding ascent was so intricate, and clogged 
with dirt and rubbish, that the Merchant worked 
like a mole in the dark ; but, by his industry, he 
gained ground considerably : yet what mostly tor- 
mented him was, that as often as he endeavoured 
to mount, the steps would slip from under him, and 
D 



34 TALES OF THE GENII. 

he would come tumbling down with a weight of 
dirt upon him ; and then had all his work to do 
over again. Nothing but his intolerable situation 
and lost condition could have supported the Mer- 
chant in this odious undertaking : but meanness 
and wretchedness know no evils greater than 
themselves. 

After various labours, Abudah arrived at a kind 
of resting-place, whence the steps began to enlarge, 
and by degrees he perceived from above a glimmer- 
ing light ; to which ascending, the nearer he drew 
to it, the plainer he could hear a confused sound 
of voices echoing from the top, which increased as 
he rose, till he could plainly distinguish it must 
proceed from some great concourse of people 
without. 

When he had reached the uppermost step, over 
which a hole opened sufficient for a man to crawl 
through, the clamours without were so terrifying, 
that he feared to proceed : at last, considering that 
death must be the consequence of remaining in the 
cavern, he boldly ventured forth. 



THE MEECHANT ABUDAH S THIED ADVENTUEE ; IN THE 
KINGDOM OF TASGI. 

No sooner did the Merchant Abudah appear through 
the opening of the cavern, than ten thousand voices 
cried out all at once — ' Long live our Sultan, whom 
the mountains of Tasgi have brought forth ! ' And 
Abudah, looking about, saw an infinite concourse 
of people round the mountain, and beyond them a 
most plentiful country, with cities and towns scat- 
tered among the valleys which opened to his view. 
A number of eunuchs and viziers stepped forward 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 35 

to disengage Abudah from the mouth of the cavern, 
who was so spent with his infirmities, sores, and 
fatigue, that he was obliged to be supported. Im- 
mediately a princely robe was thrown over him, and 
a costly turban put upon his head ; the concourse 
still crying out, with ecstasy and rapture, ' Long 
live our Sultan, whom the mountains of Tasgi have 
brought forth ! ' 

Silence being commanded, the grand vizier, with 
a long train, came toward Abudah ; and, with all 
the people prostrating himself before the Merchant, 
thus addressed himself to Abudah : — 

' Behold, O thou, before whose presence even the 
sun is darkness ! behold, O wonder of mankind, 
most sacred progeny of Tasgi ! thou miracle of 
beauty ! thou mirror of perfection ! thou most 
glorious Sultan of earthly princes ! thou diamond 
of nature ! thou guardian of the world ! behold thy 
prostrate slaves ; whose wish is only to lie down as 
thy footstools, and to be trodden under thy feet as 
the dust of the plain ! Thine, Sultan, is all 
earthly happiness ! thine, every perfection of body 
and mind ! thine, all power, from the mountains 
of thy parent Tasgi, to the parching deserts of 
Shezrallah, which forbid the approach of the 
stranger to the kingdoms of our invincible Sultan ! 
Kule, therefore, thy slaves according unto thy plea- 
sure, and know but one will in the plains and cities 
which, by thy permission and bounty, thy slaves 
inhabit.' 

As the grand vizier, still prostrate with the people, 
uttered these words, they all with one voice re- 
peated — ' O Sultan, whom the mountains of Tasgi 
have brought forth, rule thy slaves according to 
thy pleasure ! ' 

Abudah, filled with conceit and bloated with 
pride, had almost forgot his pains and infirmities 
D2 



36 TALES OF THE GENII. 

in this flattering applause : he set his foot on the 
neck of the vizier with the utmost haughtiness, 
and commanded him to conduct him to the seraglios 
of his ancestors. — A numher of slaves and eunuchs 
Drought a magnificent throne of ivory, with a canopy 
of golden embroidery thrown over it, into which 
Abudah ascended, and was borne on the shoulders 
of the grandees and viziers of his newly- acquired 
kingdom. 

The retinue, winding round the hill, brought 
Abudah in sight of an extensive encampment, whidh, 
after the eastern manner, was of a thousand different 
colours : one division yellow, one blue, another 
white, some red, some green, and all adorned with 
silver or gold. In the centre of this splendid 
armament stood the royal tent, which shone with 
the lustre of the gold and purple velvet of which 
it was composed, and looked rather like a palace 
than a tent. 

Here Abudah was seated on his throne ; and the 
nobles having done obeisance, Abudah commanded 
all but the grand vizier to depart. 

The rest being gone, the grand vizier, again 
prostrating himself before Abudah, cried out, ' May 
my lord the Sultan of Tasgi ever rule over Harran 
his slave ! ' 

' Harran,' answered Abudah, ' arise, and declare 
to me the cause of this encampment, and why the 
armies of Tasgi are thus scattered on the plains ? ' 

' Our renowned Sultan Rammasin,' replied the 
vizier Harran, ' made it his custom to take the field 
in summer, to terrify his foes ; but, in the midst of 
this campaign, it pleased the powers who preside 
over the mountains of Tasgi to call him from us, 
and bless us with the presence of my lord, before 
whom I stand. For, since the time that the de- 
scendants of Mahomet involved our kingdom in 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 37 

perpetual bloodshed, we have been warned by the 
oracles of Tasgi to expect a king from the womb 
of the mountain, that no division of families or 
contention among brethren might disturb the 
peace of these happy kingdoms.' 

' And who,' said Abudah, ' are the neighbours of 
my kingdom beyond these mountains ? ' 

6 They are,' replied the vizier, ' O Sultan, a 
harmless, inoffensive race ; which was the cause 
that the Sultan Eammasin would not make war 
upon them, although their territories extend to 
the sea-coast, and would be a noble addition to the 
kingdom of the Sultan of Tasgi.' 

' Rammasin, then,' answered Abudah, ' wanted 
a nobleness of soul, to sit down contented with less 
than he might have enjoyed ; but Abudah, your 
present Sultan, will give their lands to the slaves 
of Tasgi, and extend his dominions even over the 
waves and the tempest.' 

' My royal master will thereby,' answered the 
vizier, 'gain the hearts of his soldiers, who have 
long pined in the inglorious lethargies of peace.' 

1 Go, bid the trumpets sound then,' said Abudah, 
' and let it be proclaimed in the camp, that your 
Sultan Abudah will revenge the injuries which the 
inhabitants of Tasgi have received from their per- 
fidious neighbours. Go, Harran, and denounce 
war against the ' 

6 Shakarahs,' said Harran, bowing, ' who have 
insulted the mountains of Tasgi.' 

Abudah was going on ; but his pains and weak- 
ness obliged him to order that an inner tent might 
be prepared for him. 

While the eunuchs and slaves were attending 
their new Sultan, his vizier Harran caused the 
royal mandate to be proclaimed about the encamp- 
ment, and commanded the leaders of the army to 



38 TALES OF THE GENII. 

be assembled together, to deliver to them the orders 
of the Sultan Abudah. 

The whole kingdom of Tasgi was rejoiced at the 
news of their Sultan's expedition against the help- 
less and innocent Shakarahs ; so little do subjects 
weigh the merits of war ! and the old and decrepit 
parents stirred up their children to engage in a 
service, where cruelty and destruction were honoured 
with the titles of virtue and the love of their coun- 
try. 

Ere the sun began to smile on the harvests of 
the Shakarahs, the tents of Abudah were moving 
to destroy them ; the loud cymbals were clanging 
in the air, and the brazen trumpets, with their 
shrill notes of liveliness, seemed to inspire the 
armies of Tasgi with a thirst of glory, and not of 
blood. The order and discipline of the troops, 
the regularity of their march, and the sprightliness 
of their looks, utterly disguised the rapacious pur- 
poses of the royal plunderer ; who, though but 
just master of one kingdom, was so eager to get 
'possession of a second, that he destroyed many of 
his men in forcing a march over the mountains 
which nature had placed as the boundaries of their 
nation. 

The Shakarahs, having notice of their motions, 
sent an embassy to meet the Sultan of Tasgi, 
beseeching to know the cause of his coming ; 
making the humblest professions of peace ; and 
offering, if any thing had offended him, to make 
the fullest satisfaction they were capable of; and 
imploring him, that he would not make war upon 
a nation who were ever the friends of the Tasgites, 
and to whom that kingdom had never declared any 
hostile intention. 

To these humble remonstrances Abudah replied, 
that he was not to be taught and directed by such 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANBS. 39 

base slaves as the Shakarahs, and that, wkatever 
intention ke migkt kave kad originally in entering 
tkeir kingdom, ke now declared ke came to punish 
the insolence of tkat people wko dared to send 
suck dictating embassies to tke Sultan of Tasgi. 

He tken commanded tke ambassadors to be 
driven from tke encampment, and ordered kis army 
to begin tkeir kostilities on tke presumptuous Skaka- 
raks. 

Tke leaders of tke armies of Tasgi being ignorant 
and imperious, every kind of tyranny and cruelty 
was practised, till, tke wretcked Skakaraks being 
made prisoners, and tkeir wives and families insulted 
or murdered, tke Sultan Abudak returned to tke 
kingdom of Tasgi, witk tke spoils of tke conquered 
country, amidst tke acclamations of tke army and 
its leaders ; wko were so lavisk of tkeir praises and 
adulations, tkat Abudak esteemed kimself at least 
equal to tke Prophet of Mecca. 

After Abudak arrived at the metropolis of Tasgi, 
his viziers came to enquire of him where he would 
bestow the miserable Shakarahs, most of whom 
they had led home in chains. Abudah was for 
some time doubtful of their fate, and was at last 
going to order a general execution, when he recol- 
lected the iron chest which was buried in the 
mountains of Tasgi. 

( Let the Shakarahs,' said the Sultan Abudah, 
' be condemned to work in the mountains of Tasgi, 
till they find an iron chest with fifty locks.' 

At these words the grand vizier Harran bowed 
before the Sultan, and said — * Will my lord dare to 
send the Shakarahs into the womb of Tasgi, which 
his own subjects are forbidden to approach ?' 

' Take the rebel Harran,' said Abudah, in in- 
dignation, ' and let his head be severed from his 
body, and his tongue let the dogs devour.' 



40 TALES OF THE GENII. 

The other viziers gladly saw this execution per- 
formed on Harran, and returned to the Sultan, and 
said — ' Far he it that a Monarch of the East 
should he governed hy his slaves ! Be the will of 
the Sultan Ahudah for ever obeyed, as it is in the 
destruction of the traitor Harran ; as it is in the 
labours of the Shakarahs in the mountains of Tasgi.' 

Ahudah hourly sent his viziers to inspect the 
miners in the mountains, who returned with ac- 
counts of the death of thousands, over whom the 
mountain crumbled, and smothered them in its 
caverns. 

The Tasgites, jealous of their mountain, which 
they supposed was somewhat divine, began to mur- 
mur at the impiety of their Sultan ; which when 
Abudah knew, he commanded the leaders of his 
army to chastise them, and to put every tenth man 
throughout his kingdom to the sword. 

At length the fainting Shakarahs dug out the 
chest of iron, and brought it to Abudah, who com- 
manded every engine of force to be applied to it to 
break it open, but in vain ; the chest resisted all 
their endeavours, and would not yield to the utmost 
force the art of man could bring against it, 

Abudah then published a reward to any that 
should make keys to fit the locks. This, several 
undertook, and succeeded ; but as soon as one lock 
was opened, it shut while the artificer was employed 
about the second. 

Abudah, puffed up with pride, was enraged at 
this disappointment, and commanded fifty men to 
take the fifty keys, and all attempt it at once ; which 
they did, and were all immediately struck dead : 
he then commanded a second fifty ; but none but 
his army were near him, for the rest were fled from 
the tyrant's presence. 

Abudah now ordered fifty soldiers to approach ; 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 4 1 

when the leaders of the army, moved by his cruel- 
ties, and seeing he was about to sacrifice his army 
as well as his subjects, uniting together, came to- 
ward him in a body; w T hich Abudah perceiving, 
and expecting no mercy, leaped on the chest, and 
trusted himself to its saving power. 

Immediately the chest moved aloft in the air; 
and Abudah, being stupified and giddy, fell into a 
deep sleep, and was wafted far from the army and 
kingdom of Tasgi. 



THE MERCHANT ABUDAH S FOURTH ADVENTURE ; 
AMONG THE SAGES OF NEMA. 

Abudah found himself on the iron chest, beneath 
a rock which hung over him, and was covered with 
a pleasant shade of palms ; at a little distance, a 
gentle rill ran bubbling over the stones, and took 
its course along a narrow valley, which on each 
side was bounded by rocks and verdant hills. 
Here, as he eyed the rural scene, and reflected on 
his escape from Tasgi, he observed a venerable sage 
gently moving forward along the valley, and, to 
appearance, directing his steps toward the rock 
under which he was sitting. Abudah's conscience 
was so alarmed at the sight of a human form, 
which, during his tyrannical reign, he had so often 
defaced, that he strove to hide himself even from 
the approach of a weak old man ; but the sage 
still advancing with ease and composure, Abudah, 
after some hesitation, suffered him to join him. 

The sage, with great obsequiousness, bowed be- 
fore Abudah (who had still the royal turban upon 
his head, and the ensigns of the regal power about 
his shoulders), and said — ' prince, who deignest 
to visit these retreats of learning and philosophy, — 



42 TALES OF THE GENII. 

whether thou art he whose knowledge was uni- 
versal, the glory of the East, the sagest of sages, 
the indefatigable Solomon ; or whether thou art 
here arrived from any neighbouring realm in quest 
of science, and art willing to honour our school 
with thy august presence ; permit one of the lowest 
of the sons of knowledge to conduct you to the 
temple and seat of learning, which the great Solo- 
mon here founded in the desert, for the investiga- 
tion of truth, and the discoveries of nature. This 
vale, which is our only retreat from the sultry sun 
or the wide-extended desert, winds round to the 
entrance of our seminary, where every science is 
taught, and all the fountains of knowledge are 
disclosed.' 

As he spake these words, the sage led the way ; 
and Abudah, somewhat recovered from his hurry 
and confusion, said within himself — ( O Prophet, 
how blindly have I wandered ! yet here, surely, 
among these springs of knowledge and learning, 
is the talisman of Oromanes to be discovered !' 
Abudah, arriving with the sage at the end of the 
valley, beheld the mansions of Philosophy. A 
grand portico first presented itself to his view, 
built after the model of the Grecian architecture ; 
to this, with the sage, he ascended by a grand 
flight of steps, and entering the doors of the 
inner portico, found himself in a spacious hall. 
' Here,' said the sage, ' must even kings remain, 
till the director of this seat of learning is ac- 
quainted with the arrival of a stranger, and his 
motives for seeking entrance into the sacred col- 
lege of Sciences.' 

1 Give, then, this message,' answered Abudah, 
1 to your director : that the Sultan of Tasgi (for 
Abudah's penitence had not entirely humbled his 
pride), studious of knowledge, seeks, in this phi- 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 43 

losophic seat, to find the talisman of the perfect 
Oromanes.' The sage, after having made obei- 
sance to the supposed sultan, went in quest of 
the director, and left Abudah in the hall, where 
were many other candidates for admission into the 
college of Philosophy, and each had his particular 
sage, or introducer. 

Abudah's instructor shortly returned. — ' Our 
director,' said he, ' rejoices to find so great a 
monarch studious of truth, and bids me declare 
(as is customary) that the talisman of Oromanes 
is the ultimate end of all our researches, and 
therefore invites the Sultan of Tasgi to seek it, 
in whatever science he thinks most likely to con- 
tain it. But,' added the sage, ' happily for the 
Sultan of Tasgi, he has met with Abraharad, who 
can unfold to him the secrets of nature, and teach 
him in what recesses the talisman of Oromanes is 
enclosed.' 

* And are you then,' answered Abudah, ' the 
renowned Abraharad, whom my subjects of Tasgi 
have often described to me as the man who knew 
the properties of all herbs and roots, and the 
minerals of all the earth ? ' 

' These, prince,' replied Abraharad, ' are the 
plainest precepts of nature : but I will unfold to 
thee such of her secrets as none, since the mag- 
nificent Solomon, have been allowed to view ; for 
what was Oromanes, the founder of this talisman, 
but the magician of Fire, the great alchemist of 
the first and most powerful element ! However, I 
will not waste your time in words, when I can 
work wonders to convince you. Descend then, 
prince, with me into the area of this inner build- 
ing, in which every science has its separate offices 
and apartments ; and I will bring you to the know- 
ledge of the inmost secrets of nature and art.' 



44 TALES OF THE GENII. 

Abudah, rejoicing in his new acquaintance, 
followed Abraharad into an extensive court, sur- 
rounded by porticos, in each of which he beheld 
several sages teaching their respective disciples. 

Abraharad led Abudah to the portico of his own 
science, where many w T ere busied in the various 
branches of his art. — ' Even in this vestibule/ 
said Abraharad, ' could I surprise the Sultan of 
Tasgi ; but I lead him at once to the mysteries 
of science.' So saying, he opened a door that led 
to an inner apartment ; and Abudah entering, the 
alchemist closed the door of his laboratory. 

While Abudah's attention was diverted by the 
variety of instruments ^nd apparatus which he 
beheld in this mimic shop of nature, the alchemist 
began to order his materials, and set them in fur- 
naces ; compounding salts, and earths, and spirits, 
and varying his experiments according as he saw 
occasion. 

6 Patience and perseverance, Sultan,' said 
Abraharad, ' are the tools of an alchemist ; with- 
out these he could not work, as hidden causes 
so often vary and perplex his operations. The 
secret which I am now preparing, is what gave 
the great Demogorgon power to dissolve all na- 
ture ; but, as it is a tedious process, and the 
furnace as yet gives but the third degree of fire, 
I will shew you what great effects lie hidden in 
the meanest causes, that you may conquer the 
prejudices which custom may have rooted in your 
mind against any particular modifications of mat- 
ter ; for the whole earth that you view is one 
confusion of materials, out of which, by separa- 
tion, conjunction, assimilation, unity, or disjunc- 
tion, may every appearance of nature, and many 
which she had never discovered, be formed. You 
see the seed drawing to itself atoms, capable of 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 45 

forming wood, and various fruits : from this seem- 
ingly tasteless earth arises first the harsh, and 
then the sour, and lastly, the luscious grape, 
concocted, meliorated, and perfected, in these dif- 
ferent stages, hy the subtile alchemy of the sun. 
You see, in others, the bitter, the salt, the tart, 
and the sweet, all drawn from the same earthly 
bed or well : so likewise, Sultan, is the gene- 
ration of all things ; the semen is a kind of 
standard which marshals each under its particular 
banner. Now, as these are all, by affections and 
sympathies of size or quality, naturally led by 
these causes to conjunction and unity, so also 
have they all aversions, that is to say, particles 
discordant, which are capable of separating them, 
whereby their cohesion, unity, and substance are 
destroyed, and they themselves are rendered dis- 
continuous and resolvable into their first principles 
of rude atoms : thus, what we call corruption, is 
really no more than a new modification of matter, 
which, according as it is agreeable to our senses 
and perceptions, we call by names conveying 
agreeable or disagreeable ideas : thus the fer- 
ment of the grape we call a making or creating 
of wine ; and the ferment of vegetables, which 
resolve themselves to a kind of muck or manure, 
we call putrefaction, though they are begun by 
one and the same process in nature : so again, 
the change of an egg into one living animal, or 
bird, we call breeding ; but the change of another, 
by staleness, into a thousand maggots, we call 
corruption. But yet, whatever may be our no- 
tions and ideas, they are never lost or destroyed 
materially, though they are formally: all returns 
to the common bed of nature, and their lies dor- 
mant, till called forth by sufficient causes into 
different forms. 



46 TALES OF THE GENII. 

' Hence it is, Sultan, that the alchemist, 
taking this universal bed as the ground-work of 
his science, and acting, as nature does, by the 
force of the nobler and more vivifying elements, 
teaches mankind the powers of separation and 
composition; and hence he is able to proceed or 
move backward in his work, and can either stop, 
reduce, or drive forward the matter which he 
guides. Thus, Sultan, you perceive those two 
bottles of transparent liquors ; you see, by mixing 
them, they instantly change and become red : so 
the small plant which you set in water, though 
fed by that element only, produces green leaves. 
Now these w r aters may again be rendered trans- 
parent by other mixtures ; may be disunited, and 
reduced to their former state ; or, by other ad- 
ditions, you see I render them blue, or black ; or 
green, or yellow; yet all these beautiful colours 
and phenomena are caused by a few common, 
natural causes.' 

Abraharad then ordered the laboratory to be dark- 
ened, and immediately the Sultan beheld, among 
vivid flashes, this writing in fire upon the walls : 
— ' The Sultan of Tasgi shall be satisfied,' At this 
sight, Abudah was transported : whereupon Abra- 
harad said — ' O Sultan, let not appearances either 
slacken, or too rashly inspire your researches : 
this luminous appearance is natural, drawn from 
the most refuse of materials, and may serve to 
convince you that wonders lie hidden in the most 
disagreeable formations of matter. — But I see the 
colours arising in the furnace, all that is bright 
to the eye ! What flashes of red, blue, green, 
yellow, purple, and white, arise from my work ! 
brighter, Sultan, than the rubies or the eme- 
ralds of thine empire.' 

Abudah looked at the furnace, and saw the 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 47 

most glorious colours arise from the crucibles of 
Abraharad. 

' These,' continued the sage, ' are signs that my 
universal menstruum is near perfection ; and now 
all nature will be open before me.' 

' What ! ' answered Abudah, s is the mixture 
you are making in the furnace an universal dis- 
solvent ? ' 

c Yes,' said Abraharad, * it is.' 

' Then,' replied Abudah, "the talisman of Oro- 
manes will soon be my own.' 

' It may possibly,' resumed the sage, ' require 
some time to seek out where it is deposited.' 

' That,' said Abudah, ' I know ; for it is en- 
closed in the iron chest which you saw me sitting 
upon under the rock, which has hitherto resisted 
every application of force or art.' 

' Hast thou then, O royal Sultan,' cried Abra- 
harad, ' the chest of adamant, with fifty locks, said 
to contain that precious jewel, that philosophic 
talisman, which can give life, immortality, riches, 
honour, and happiness to the possessor? But see, 
my work is finished ; the bluish vapour arises, 
and my menstruum, the key of nature, is com- 
pleted. Let us then hasten with it to this chest, 
and release the treasures of my royal Sultan.' 

' Rather,' replied Abudah, ' will I go and bring 
it here, which, by its virtues, I am able to per- 
form ; and Abraharad shall exercise his authority 
over this stubborn matter, and reduce it to its 
former atoms.' 

Abudah, then leaving the sage, returned to his 
chest, and seating himself thereon, was, at a wish, 
conveyed with his treasure into the laboratory. 

The sage Abraharad, having viewed the chest 
with rapture, took out his crucible, full of the 
universal menstruum. 



48 TALES OF THE GENII. 

' Alas ! ' said Abudah, ' sage, be not deceived. 
Can that which dissolves everything be confined 
by a crucible ? ' 

The sage grew pale at the Merchant's reproof ; 
and, with the utmost vexation, threw his men- 
struum on the ground, where the harmless liquor 
continued, without altering itself, or the earth that 
supported it. 

1 Alas ! ' said Abudah, ' where now is alchemy ? ' 

' I have a cold fusion,' answered Abraharad, 
f though a hot one is denied me ; for I will send 
the lightning, which melts the sword, and leaves 
the scabbard unhurt, through that stubborn piece 
of mechanism.' 

A new apparatus being now fixed, the sparks 
and flashes began to issue through the sides of 
the adamant; and Abraharad, exulting, and im- 
patient to hasten the effect of his mimic lightning, 
stepped nearer to the chest ; when the flash, 
altering its course, drove violently through the 
temples of the sage Abraharad, and reduced him 
to ashes. 

At this di'eadful catastrophe, Abudah, whose 
hopes were raised to the highest pitch, ran out 
of the laboratory with frantic wildness, and filled 
the area with his groans and complaints. Here, 
as he wandered about, tormented by passion and 
disappointment, a sage, with a steady and com- 
posed mien, advanced from one of the porticos 
toward him, and with great seeming unconcern, 
said — ' wretch, why will you neglect the posses- 
sion of the talisman of Oromanes, which it is in 
your power to enjoy?' 

1 Canst thou assure me of that?' answered Abu- 
dah, in transports. 

* I can assure you,' replied the sage, ' that you 
are, at present, incapable of making use of it.' 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 49 

' And therefore it is, I suppose,' said Abudah, 
' that I am thus for ever deceived, when I think it 
within my grasp ? ' 

' It is even so,' answered the sage. 

' Then teach me, friendly sage,' rejoined the 
Merchant, 'how I may come to the true enjoy- 
ment of this valuable treasure.' 

c Must not happiness,' said the sage, ' be seated 
in the mind?' 

' It must, it must/ replied Abudah, ' and I have 
neglected my mind, to search for it among bodily 
enjoyments. what a new scene have you, O 
greatest of sages, opened to my view! But pro- 
ceed, O heavenly instructor, and perfect the cure 
you have begun.' 

' Cool and moderate your grief this night,' an- 
swered the sage Gherar ; ' and to-morrow, if I find 
you dispassionate, I will unmask your mind, which 
at present is beset by worldly objects.' Thus say- 
ing, the sage Gherar introduced Abudah among 
his scholars, and provided him apartments in his 
portico. 

Early the next morning, the sage Gherar at- 
tended Abudah, and led him forth towards the 
valley that fronted the building dedicated to science 
and instruction. 

' How delightful,' said Gherar, ' are the sweet 
dews that are again rising at the call of the morn- 
ing sun ! The groves seem, like man, refreshed by 
the silence of the night ; the grass, is capable, by 
this relief from nature, to stand against the fiery 
beams of the noon.' 

'It is, indeed,' answered Abudah, ' a glorious 
morning, and looks more like a new creation than 
a scene which has already lasted such numberless , 
ages. O, how happily might man spend his days 
in such sweet retirements ! no cares to molest him ; 
E 



50 TALES OF THE GENII. 

no storms to beat upon him ; no human desolations 
to suffer from ! ' 

' Such/ answered Gherar, e are the dreams of 
foil j and the conceits of infirmity : conscious of 
your weakness, I led you to this scene, in order to 
convince you how incapable you are of happiness : 
if the brightness of the sun, and the vapours of 
the morning can so affect you with pleasure, the want 
of them will be painful unto you. In these grati- 
fications the soul is totally passive, and must be 
fed by the senses ; thus she is taught to rejoice at 
the wanton touches of a finger ; at the tickling of 
a luxurious palate ; at the odours of a fading 
flower; at the sounding undulations of the cir- 
cumambient air ; or at the accidental objects that 
play upon the eyes of a trifling, circumscribed 
animal. 

' But the purity and immortality of the soul 
teach the philosopher to govern the corruptions of 
the flesh, and not to suffer the body to be the 
master of the mind ; the momentary pleasures or 
evils of life are alike indifferent to him who, con- 
scious of his perfections, and complete in his own 
virtues and immortality, can smile amidst the 
horrors of dissolving nature, and preserve a firm- 
ness and indifference, when even the whole earth 
is crumbling to its original chaos : and if these 
things affect not his self-fortified breast, how little 
will he regard the common accidents and vexations 
of life ! If he drops a limb, his immortal part is 
nevertheless unimpaired ; if he suffers hunger, 
still his mind is fed with never-failing pleasures ; 
if power throw its arbitrary chains around him, 
his soul is still free, and can mock the tyrant's 
rage, and defy his malice. In short, Abudah, 
the true philosopher is capable of every pleasure, 
and released from every ill : the beauty of virtue 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 5 1 

has eternal charms for his contemplation and pos- 
session ; the changes of mortality have nothing 
that can move, transport, or disquiet him; he 
neither hopes nor fears ; he neither admires nor 
dreads ; and always wears within his hreast a con- 
tentment more invariable and unshaken than all 
the treasures upon earth, because nothing earthly 
can disquiet him.' 

As the sage Gherar spoke these words with a 
heart-felt pride, Abudah, transported at his doc- 
trines, was about to answer ; when a fierce tiger 
bursting from the thicket, with his eyes flashing 
dreadful fires, and a mouth begrimed with human 
gore, sprang violently towards the sage and his 
pupil. Abudah, who had not so entirely forgotten 
his worldly wisdom as to stand perfectly undaunted, 
leaped into the brook that divided the vale, and 
swam across, as knowing the tiger would not follow 
him through the water. Having reached the op- 
posite bank, he looked towards the sage Gherar, 
whom he saw running, with the utmost precipita- 
tion, before the voracious tiger : but his flight was 
in vain ; the monster overtook him, and, leaping 
upon the sage, tore him limb from limb, while 
Gherar filled the woods and the valleys with his 
piteous cries and lamentations. 

' Alas ! ' sighed the Merchant Abudah, as he 
beheld the wretched end of Gherar, ' how vain is 
it for weakness to boast of strength ; or for man, 
who is infirm, to deny the reality of what he must 
hourly feel ! To boast of a power over nature is, 
I see, the end of philosophy, which should only 
with wonder contemplate what it cannot scan; 
much less ought the reptile man to vaunt itself 
superior to the blessings or scourges of Him who 
is the ruler of the universe.' 

With these reflections, Abudah arose ; and, being 
E2 



52 TALES OP THE GENII. 

fearful to venture on the other side of the brook, 
he advanced up a lawn, which, winding between 
two mountains, brought the Merchant into a spa- 
cious plain ; where he beheld innumerable flocks 
feeding upon its surface, and shepherds and shep- 
herdesses tending their innocent charge. — ' Here,' 
said Abudah to himself, ( here is neither pomp, 
nor luxury, nor vanity; here is rural peace, and 
quietness, and tranquillity, which know no sorrow/ 

As thus Abudah mused within himself, he ad- 
vanced towards the shepherds and their flocks ; 
when one passing near him, immediately ran, with 
the utmost precipitation, among the rest, crying 
aloud, * Fly, fly, O my wandering and distressed 
friends ; for the tyrant of Tasgi, not content with 
driving us out from the land of Shakarah, is come 
down to bereave us also of our flocks and herds ! ' 

Abudah was touched to the soul at this scene of 
distress and confusion, which his former passions 
had occasioned ; and called to the poor wanderers 
to stay : but they, fearful and lamenting, drove 
their flocks along the plain, and with dread looked 
back, expecting to see again the cruel armies of 
the Tasgites. 

One old venerable brahmin alone, unable through 
age to follow the Shakarahs, whom he had for many 
years instructed, sat, with a majestic composure, on 
a square stone, which stood at the entrance of his 
cell. As Abudah advanced, he rose, and made 
obeisance, saying : ' Know, Sultan, I rise not to 
the tyrant of Tasgi ; but I bow before him whom 
it has pleased Alia to set over his people. But 
wherefore shouldest thou seek to do evil, that thou 
mayest reap good ? Are then bad actions capable 
of salutary ends ; and is evil predominant, that 
purity may triumph ? Alas, O Sultan ! not such 
are the means of obtaining the talisman of the 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 53 

great and perfect Oromanes : purity and affection, 
such as man may attain unto, true virtue and bene- 
volence, and a faithful religion, are the means of 
possessing that treasure. — Hasten, therefore, O 
man, to the tomb of the Prophet, and there confess 
the follies and iniquities of thy researches ; and 
learn, from that fountain of purity and truth, the 
will of Him who ordained you to this hitherto 
ineffectual toil.' 

£ Good and pious brahmin/ replied Abudah, 
* much have I abused both the gifts of Providence, 
and you, and your poor innocent and distressed na- 
tion: but direct me in my journey to Mecca, for I 
seem hitherto to have trodden on enchanted ground.' 

6 The chest of adamant will convey you to Mecca,' 
answered the brahmin. 

' I left it,' replied Abudah, ' in the mansions of 
Philosophy, which may not be found without 
crossing the brook, and risking the fury of the 
tiger.' 

' There is,' answered the brahmin, ' a path that 
leads hence, round the brook, to the back of that 
mansion, into which a small bridge will carry you 
over the brook : and may Mahomet prosper your 
undertaking ! ' 

Abudah then took leave of the sage, assuring 
him that the Tasgites knew not of his place of re- 
treat ; and that he might rest with the Shakarahs 
safely there, for no evil was intended them. The 
brahmin blessed Abudah as he departed. 

The Sultan-Merchant hastened to the seminaries 
of learning ; where, taking possession of the chest, 
he threw himself on it, in full assurance that he 
should awake in the temple of Mecca. 

In a short time, the Merchant Abudah found 
himself in an awful mosque, reclining on the chest 
of adamant : on one side stood the box which used 



54 TALES OF THE GENII. 

to haunt his chamber with the diminutive hag ; and 
on the other, a large cistern of water. In a mo- 
ment, with mildness in his aspect, stood the Genius 
Barhaddan before him. 

' At length,' said he, ' Abudah, receive the true 
keys of the adamantine chest.' 

At these words the Merchant Abudah approached 
the Genius ; and, having prostrated himself before 
him, received the long-expected keys. 

1 Begin,' said Barhaddan, ' O Abudah, and search 
for thy treasure.' Abudah obeyed ; and in a mo- 
ment the locks of the chest flew open. 

Abudah, with a consciousness and dread, lifted 
up the lid of the chest ; when instantly flew out a 
thousand feathers, so that they covered the whole 
pavement of the mosque. 

' Now,' continued Barhaddan, 'put in thine hand, 
and draw forth the contents of the chest.' Abudah 
obeyed ; and first he took up a beautiful, but 
bleeding hand, with a curious bracelet of diamonds. 

6 That hand,' said Barhaddan, 'was severed from 
the body of a fair sultana, by a slave, who could 
not unlock the bracelet. Dost thou think, Abudah, 
the wearer was the happier for that ornament ? ' 

As Abudah was going to draw again, out stepped 
a poor wretch, laden with his bags of gold, trem- 
bling and looking behind ; — next, on a sudden, a 
gay youth, with a poniard, stabbed the miser to the 
heart ; upon which several women, in loose attire, 
came and shared with him the spoil, and began 
dancing and singing; — these were followed by a 
crowd, among whom was a crowned head, who 
ordered his soldiers to fall on them and destroy 
them ; — then came a superior force, and put a bow- 
string around the neck of him that was crowned ; 
and another stripped the crown from his head ; — 
after these, came several madmen ; some with wings 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 55 

on their shoulders ; some with wheels, which they 
strove always to keep in motion ; some looking 
unto the skies, some drawing circles in the air with 
straws, some jabbering ridiculous notions, that the 
same quantity was both more and less than itself. 

When these were passed, Barhacldan asked 
Abudah, ' Dost thou understand these things ? ' 

' I understand by them,' answered the Merchant, 
■ (and also by my travels), that neither riches, nor 
gaiety, nor honour, nor power, nor science, nor learn- 
ing, nor obscurity, is free from the common acci- 
dents of life ; and that, therefore, these can never 
lead us to the perfect talisman of Oromanes.' 

' What didst thou understand by the feathers ? ' 
said Barhaddan. 

1 1 knew not their meaning,' answered Abudah. 

' They,' continued the Genius Barhaddan, ' were 
the thousand light, airy, inconsistent hopes and 
wishes, which lie on the top of every man's heart ; 
which have some kind of tendency to the talisman, 
and so they are the first on the top of the chest.' 

f And now, O Merchant Abudah,' said Barhaddan, 
' art thou convinced that the talisman of Oromanes 
could not be treasured among such refuse as these ? 
Shut down, therefore, the chest ; and attend with 
silence to the scene which will follow.' — Abudah 
obeyed, standing like a mute with his hands before 
him. 

' Now, thou wicked hag,' said Barhaddan, ' thou 
evil Genius, who lovest to torment and mislead 
mankind, come forth.' — At these words, the little 
box fell to pieces, and the hag came trembling out 
on her crutches before Barhaddan. 

' I know,' said the pure Genius, ' thy implacable 
nature, and that thou delightest only in mischief 
and evil ; but that you may have some awe for 
those who regard mankind, stand here, and see me 



56 TALES OF THE GENII. 

purge the man whom thou hast enslaved with 
worldly thoughts and desires.' 

Barhaddan then commanded Ahudah to wash 
himself in the cistern ; which having performed, 
he ordered him a second time to open the chest of 
adamant. — Abudah, obeying, looked in, and saw 
only a little book, which Barhaddan bade him read, 
and he read these words aloud : — 

' Know, O man, that human nature, which is 
' imperfect, cannot attain to perfection : that true 
c happiness, which is the real talisman of Oromanes, 
'being immortal, can be enjoyed by immortals 
1 alone : that man, being a creature, is subject to 
'the commands of his Creator; and therefore, a 
' knowledge of His will, and a faithful obedience 
' to it, should be the first and last pursuit of mor- 
' tality, till it may please the Eternal Power to 
' remove him from trial to perfection, from earthly 
' misery to the eternal happiness of a glorious 
' paradise.' 

As he ended these words, Abudah fell prostrate 
in the mosque, and adored the Eternal Power 
above ; which the Genius seeing, commended him. 

Then Barhaddan, turning to the hag, — ' Go/ 
said he, ' false and wicked genius, into that chest, 
and there, for fifty years, contemplate the happiness 
thou art so anxious to recommend.' — The hag trem- 
bled and obeyed; the chest closed with violence, 
the locks fastened themselves on, and the whole 
was taken up like a whirlwind, and vanished away. 

Abudah then looked around to thank the friendly 
Genius ; but he was gone : and what surprised 
him more, he found himself on his bed at Bagdat, 
and his wife and family weeping around him. As 
he moved, Selima in transport ran to him, and 
asked him if the life were in him ? 

' In me ! ' said Abudah ; ' why, woman, I have 



THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES. 57 

been travelling these three months : I have seen 
various countries and kingdoms ; I have (but would 
I had not ! ) been crowned a Sultan ! ' 

* 0,' interrupted Selima, ' my lord raves again. 
Thy children and servants know, O Abudah ! that 
for four days thou hast slept upon this sofa, and we 
feared thou wert dead.' 

' Is what I have seen, then, a dream?' cried the 
Merchant Abudah : '■ then blessed be the Prophet, 
who has added unto me knowledge without guilt ! ' 

' But now, my lovely Selima,' said Abudah, e I 
am released from those terrors and uneasinesses, 
which have made me a burthen to thee and myself. 
Yes, Selima, I have learned to be content ; the 
utmost man must expect upon earth : and I have 
learned to be obedient to Alia, to love and cherish 
my family, and to do good to mankind.' 

At these words, he again embraced his wife and 
children ; and the day was spent in decent endear- 
ments : nor lived there a happier, or more resigned 
and cheerful family in Bagdat, than in the house 
of the Merchant Abudah. 

When the Genius Barhaddan had finished his 
tale, Iracagem arose from his throne, and humbled 
himself before him ; then, turning to the august 
assembly, he thus addressed the pupils of his im- 
mortal race : — 

' Hear, ye reptiles, whose life is a span, and 
whose habitation is as the dust in the whirlwind ; 
who look towards the earth, and see not below the 
sand that covers it ; and to the heavens, but the 
cloud interveneth, and darkeneth your search ; seek 
not for durable joys in a world of vicissitude ; nor 
for happiness which a moment shall alter, as the 
sea-breeze blots out the writing of a child on the 
sand ! The eye which is mortal cannot see that 
which is unchangeable ; neither can the taste of 



58 TALES OF THE GENII. 

man be satisfied with variety. Wait then, ye sons 
of clay, with patience, till ye be translated into the 
gardens of eveiiiving pleasures, into palaces which 
moulder not with the storm, into mansions which 
time must for ever admire ; and know, that happi- 
ness is with Mahomet and Alia; and that the 
talisman of Oromanes is,— to obey God, and to 
love his commandments, 

1 Thanks, gentle Barhaddan,' continued Iracagem; 
' thanks be to thy industry and care : well hast thou 
inculcated the lessons of morality, and the doctrines 
of truth. — Say then, my noble brother,' said Ira- 
cagem to Mamlouk, ' where has Mamlouk been 
employed in the service of mankind?' 

' To teach the doctrine of contentment,' replied 
Mamlouk, ' has been the endeavour of Mamlouk : 
how I have succeeded, learn from the tale of Kelaun 
and Guzzarat' 



KELAUN AND GUZZAKAT. 59 



TALE IL 

KELAUN AND GUZZAKAT, 

BENEATH the foot of a lofty rock, in the moun- 
tains of Gabel-el-ared, lived a homely peasant, 
whose business it was to lead a few sheep through 
the hollow passages of the mountains, from one 
fruitful valley to another, that they might feed on 
the herbs which grow plentifully near the rills and 
cascades, on every side descending from the craggy 
precipices. 

Canfu had followed this pastoral life from a child; 
and his stock consisted of twelve sheep, which he 
attended, and four goats, which his wife daily milked 
for the support of Canfu and her son. 

If Canfu had harboured a wish beyond the pre- 
sent scene, it was, that Kelaun, his son, might 
hereafter become the husband of his neighbour 
Eaask's daughter ; because it had been declared by 
an old and highly-reputed sage who dwelt in the 
valley, that he had read in the book of fate, that 
the descendants of Kelaun and Guzzarat should 
be the pride and glory of the mountains of Gabel- 
el-ared. With this intent, the two children were 
made acquainted with each other from their infancy, 
and brought daily to the same spot of ground to 
play and gambol together. 

But the haughty disposition of his comrade 
Guzzarat soon grew offensive to the fiery temper 
of the impetuous Kelaun ; and the young couple, 
instead of imbibing a love and friendship for each 



60 TALES OF THE GENII. 

other in their infancy, broke out in mutual hatred 
and animosity. Canfu saw their growing dislike 
with the utmost grief and sorrow ; he had asked 
of his Prophet but one request, and that, he per- 
ceived, would be denied him. 

The angry father could not conceal his vexation, 
but daily poured out his discontent against the 
gracious purposes of Heaven, which, he imagined, 
were for ever contrived to thwart and disappoint him. 

As he was one day sitting upon a stone, and 
watching his flock by the side of a cascade, which 
ran foaming from the rocks above, he perceived a 
naked body come tumbling down the torrent, and 
which, having passed the fall, swam on the surface 
of the waters, and seemed to all appearance dead. 

Canfu could not behold such a sight without en- 
deavouring to rescue the body from the current ; 
which he effected with his crook, as the stream, 
though rapid, was very narrow. Having pulled it 
on the bank, he perceived it was the body of a 
beautiful woman, which, as soon as the water dried 
from it, gave signs of life, and by degrees recovered 
its powers of action. 

Canfu had pulled from his shoulders the vest 
which he wore, and spread it on the stranger, when 
he drew her to the land : but he was greatly sur- 
prised to find that she was so soon recovered ; nor 
was his amazement lessened, when he perceived a 
web like a wing expanding from each shoulder, and 
saw the fair stranger mount into the air, like an 
eagle soaring to the sun. 

Canfu continued watching her with his eyes ; while 
she flew towards the rock, whence she had been 
carried down by the torrent ; and several times did 
she encircle the whole range of mountains in her 
flight, as though she had been in quest of some 
prey. 



KELAUN AND GUZZARAT. 6 1 

On a sudden he perceived a second figure in the 
air; the winged female attacked it, and was re- 
pulsed, and fell again into the lake ; and the 
shepherd again saw her carried down the cliff by 
the rapid stream. Again, in amaze, the shepherd 
drew the body out ; which, being dried, revived as 
before, and presented once more to his view the 
beautiful female. 

' It is vain, O Canfu,' said she, ' to strive against 
a race who are my superiors. But for your kind- 
ness I must have perished ; for such is my nature, 
that the water, in the time that the sun runs his 
course round the earth, would dissolve my being. 
— I am of the race of Genii, of those bold and 
free Genii, who dared disobey the seal of Solyman, 
and the commands of Mahomet, It is my delight 
to thwart the will of that Prophet : you saw me 
this moment engaging with the Genius Nadoc, 
who was bearing a message from Mahomet. Nadoc, 
knowing the imperfection of my nature, would not 
attack me till I flew directly over the lake ; he 
then maliciously plunged me into the water, hoping 
to destroy me ; but I knew one was near to help 
me, who was offended at the Prophet, because he 
disregarded thy prayer. What Mahomet, therefore, 
denied thee, O Canfu, I will grant, provided thou 
consentest, for my power is limited ; neither may I 
help or distress mankind without their own appro- 
bation or concurrence.' 

* beautiful Genius,' answered Canfu, f thou 
hast my consent : unite but my son Kelaun in the 
bonds of marriage with Guzzarat, and I will ever 
be obedient to thy commands.' 

t Keturn then with joy to thine hut,' said 
Giuaraha ; ' for already a part of thy wish is 
granted.' — As she spake these words, she spread 
her airy pinions, and mounted from his sight. 



62 TALES OF THE GENII. 

Canfu was at a great distance from his hut, and 
did not arrive under his native rock till the sun 
was hidden behind the mountains of Gabel-el- 
ared. 

The twelve sheep and the four goats preceded 
him. His wife knew the bleat of the sheep, and 
ran out to meet her returning husband. 

' Thy sheep,' said she, ' Canfu, are complete 
in number ; thy goats also are four ; even as they 
went out with thee, so are they returned : but 
where is Kelaun, thy son ?' 

6 Kelaun,' answered the astonished father, 'went 
not out with me ; the way was tiresome and dan- 
gerous, and I would not suffer him to accompany 
me.' 

' I know it well, Canfu,' replied his wife ; 
' Kelaun went out, while the sun was yet in the 

valleys, to seek thee ' At these words, the 

countenance of Canfu fell ; for he remembered at 
that time it was that he had given Giuaraha his 
consent. 

* Is he not,' replied the anxious father, ' with 
Guzzarat, the daughter of Eaask?' 

Their huts were not a furlong apart: Canfu 
hastened toward the dwelling of Eaask ; but Ke- 
laun was not there. 

Tired as the shepherd was with the heat and 
labour of the preceding day, yet, leaving the sheep 
to the care of his wife, he set out to seek among 
the mountains his wandering son. He laboured 
the whole night in a fruitless search ; and returned 
to his hut in the morning, spent and overcome 
with grief, care, and remorse. 

' Alas ! ' said the unhappy father, ' I have con- 
sented to my own misery, and Giuaraha has stolen 
from me the only joy of my heart ! — O Prophet 
but,' said the Avretched Canfu, ' I dare not 



KELAUN AND GUZZARAT. 63 

call upon thee, for I have joined with thine ene- 
mies, and thou hast justly deserted me ! ' 

We must, however, leave the sorrowful hut of 
Canfu, and follow the steps of the little Kelaun 
among the mountains. 

Kelaun was well acquainted with the valleys 
and rocks which stood near the habitation of his 
father ; he knew the notches which Canfu had cut 
as directions, and followed them faithfully till the 
daylight decreased, every moment expecting to 
meet his father, and the sheep and the goats, 
whose company he preferred to the imperious Guz- 
zarat. But when night overtook him, his little 
knees knocked together with fear; and, because 
his parent had forgotten to teach him to address 
any other power, he prayed to Canfu, and cried 
aloud that he would come and deliver him. 

He was then on a barren spot, surrounded on 
all sides with rocks, except a small aperture through 
which he had crept. As he gained the middle of 
this vale, a small blue flame burst forth out of the 
ground, which increased in a pyramidical form, till 
it seemed like a hillock of fire. 

The wind immediately arose, and bellowed on 
the cliffs and ragged tops of the surrounding 
mountains ; but no storm could reach the bottom 
of the vale, where the infant Kelaun stood, gazing 
at the rising flame which burned in the middle of 
the heath. 

Presently the air was filled with shrieks, and in 
a moment the blue fire was surrounded with the 
Genii of the place. 

The -first in dignity stood the bold Giuaraha : 
she commanded silence among them, and, ere they 
began their midnight rites, harangued them to 
the following effect : — ' ye invincible but by 
water ! see among your ranks an infant devoted 



64 TALES OF THE GENII. 

to the power of our art. His parent has con- 
sented to our dominion ; and Kelaun, the son of 
Canfu,is committed into the care of the despisers of 
Mahomet. Let us see, therefore, royal race, how 
far the human heart is capable of being tutored in 
the licentious maxims of our undaunted estab- 
lishment : let us carry him to our palace in the 
centre of the earth, and instruct him in such 
artifices and wiles, as may make him a scourge 
to the humble dependents on the Prophet of 
Mecca.' 

To this exhortation the whole assembly mut- 
tered applause ; and the valley, sinking by degrees, 
descended with the Genii and the prize, and left 
the black heavy mountains above tottering with 
their powerful enchantments. 

Kelaun, amazed and confounded at the sight, 
filled the air with his cries ; but his fears were 
vain; Canfu had resigned his son, and Mahomet 
would not rescue those who mistrusted and hated 
his government. 

The valley having descended for some time, at 
length stopped, and, with a shake like that of an 
earthquake, settled itself in the bowels of the 
globe. 

No sooner was the valley fixed, than the solid 
rocks which surrounded it opened on every side, 
and formed rough and irregular arches and avenues, 
leading from its centre. 

Immediately an innumerable host of evil Genii 
issued from the rocks, and the place was filled 
with the restless spirits of those disturbers of 
mankind. But far above the rest was seen the 
proud Allahoara, the leader and encourager of that 
rebellious crew of Genii ; whose voice was as the 
echoes of thunder on the mountains, and whose 
restless eyeballs shot flashes of lightning like the 



KELAUN AND GUZZARAT. 65 

vengeful clouds. The little Kelaun stood astonished 
at his presence, and Giuaraha led him trembling like 
the pendent aspen-leaf that overshadows the flood. 

Allahoara, who knew the prize that his sister 
Giuaraha had brought, commended her care and 
fidelity in the cause of the restless Genii, and 
gave orders that the infant should be immediately 
put under proper tutors to educate him, and make 
him capable of the work they purposed to employ 
him in. Giuaraha was appointed his nurse, and 
she it was whom Allahoara commanded to lead Ke- 
laun through the schools of that abandoned race. 

These orders being issued, the tumultuous band 
disj>ersed through the caverns and the arched 
rocks, and left Giuaraha with her little prize. 

And first the Genius led him through a range 
of vaulted rocks, into a long room of splendid 
garments, and endeavoured to fix his attention 
upon them : she made him try on several, and 
told him he looked like a little god. Kelaun 
was pleased with the finery of the place, and be- 
gan to give credit to the words of Giuaraha. His 
little head was soon filled with vanity, and his 
thoughts centred in himself. Next she placed 
him on a soft sofa, at the extremity of the room ; 
and while he lay entranced in sleep, she presented 
before his imagination a vision of the night. 
Kelaun, as he slept, thought that he saw his 
father Canfu on the rocks of Gabel-el-ared : the 
form of his visage was as the dark black preci- 
pice; and he spake as the angry waves, when 
they rush into the hollow caverns : he chid the 
little Kelaun, because he appeared so gay, and 
commanded him to put on his shepherd's coat, 
and follow the twelve sheep to the brook. — Kelaun 
awoke with the terrors of the vision, and told his 
tale to the artful Giuaraha. 



66 TALES OF THE GENII. 

' Silly father ! ' said the Genius ; ' silly Canfu, 
the shepherd! shall Kelaun, the favourite of the 
Genii, regard the dreams of a father, or think 
again of the poor shepherd, Canfu ? No, my son, 
despise the lesson, which the hase goatherd has 
taught you, and think no more of the tales of 
thy unworthy parents. Kelaun, my son, was horn 
to rule ; how then shall he who is a king, regard 
the lessons of poverty and ignorance ! ' 

She then took the vain son of Canfu hy the 
hand, and led him, accoutred in tawdry rohes, to 
a small field where a thousand little imps were 
playing together : at the sight of Kelaun, they 
all bowed, and began to praise the plumes which 
adorned his head, and the robe which flowed from 
his shoulders. 

It were long and weary to follow the son of 
Canfu through the course of education devised 
for him by the artful Giuaraha. Sometimes she 
would entertain and stimulate him with stories 
of conquering heroes, before whom submissive 
crowds bowed down. Sometimes she would de- 
scribe the gay courts of kings, and scenes 
of splendid greatness — then, artfully shifting 
these, would portray in cold and dreary im- 
agery the humbler stations of this world, and 
recalling to his mind the early objects of his 
familiar regard, show them exposed to the con- 
tempt and derision of those for whom she had 
excited the youthful admiration and envy of her 
pupil, the privileged few among mankind to 
whom wealth and greatness appertained. Thus, 
for many a year, were his youthful passions che- 
rished, and his sympathies excited in favour of 
those among whom he now ardently desired that 
his good Genii, as he called his instructors, would 
endeavour to place him at whatever expense. 



KELAUN AND GUZZARAT. 67 

* My son/ said Giuaraha one day, in reply to 
his importunities, 'you have ceased of your own 
accord to bow down before Alia, and you no 
longer call on the ignoble names of Canfu and 
his wife in dreams of the night ; enough then 
has been done : thou hadst strong passions and 
desires by nature ! Kelaun, thy parents suf- 
fered them to increase, and I have taught thee ; 
to indulge them ; thou art now a fit scourge for 
the sons of the Faithful, and thou shalt this day 
see with me the realms of the Caliph of Bagdat. 
As she spake, she seized the youth by the arm, 
and in a moment they were in the royal palace 
of Bagdat. 

Kelaun found himself in a large apartment; 
a noble youth on a sofa was sleeping before 
him. 

' Kelaun,' said the Genius, ' thou beholdest the 
heir of the Caliph of Bagdat.' — ' But I have no 
weapon,' answered he, ' to eternize the sleep of 
this delicate heir.' 

' That,' replied Giuaraha, ' is not permitted us. 
Could we carry our agents at pleasure to perpe- 
trate what mischief we have conceived against 
the sons of the Faithful, Kelaun should have a 
thousand darts, all charged with the poison of 
the scorpion : — but, alas ! our power is curbed by 
that Mahomet whom we detest : neither could I 
have brought Kelaun to this place, had not 
Kaalcour, the heir of the Caliph of Bagdat, neg- 
lected to make his vowed pilgrimage to the tomb 
of the Prophet. But your hand must not be 
upon his life; therefore, I will secure Kaalcour, 
and give to Kelaun the form of his person.' 

So saying, Giuaraha breathed on the son of the 
shepherd, and, touching the sleeping Kaalcour 
with her finger, he became a bird. 
F2 



68 TALES OF THE GENII. 

Kelaun, seeing the metamorphosis, ran eagerly 
to seize the bird; and Eaalcour had died under 
his hands, but for the interposition of Giuaraha. 

' What, wretch ! ' said the Genius, ' art thou so 
abandoned in malice, that the commands of thy 
protectress can have no influence over thee ? The 
curse then of blindness fall upon thee ; and, lest 
"you should betray, by your malicious follies, the 
secrets of our race, I will take from you the re- 
membrance of the past.' 

' And cursed,' returned Kelaun, ' cursed by the 
Prophet whom thou hatest be thy detested race ! 
may your toils and labours be ever attended with 
the execrations of those whom you pretend to 
serve ! There is neither peace nor friendship, 
there is neither gratitude nor love, in the workers 
of evil ; and they shall be first to curse you, whom 
ye most seek to bless ! ' 

At these words the Genius answered not, but 
fled howling away ; for she perceived the spirit 
of the Prophet of Mecca spake in Kelaun, and 
she sought with remorse the caverns of earth and 
the valleys of death. 

And now the mutes and eunuchs opened the 
doors of the apartment, and prostrated them- 
selves before the fictitious Eaalcour. — 'Death,' 
said they, ' hath closed the eyes of Zimphrah ; 
and the Caliph of Bagdat, thy father, is ascended 
into the ninth heaven ! ' 

Kelaun heard the voices of the eunuchs, but 
saw them not; and they were amazed to find 
their supposed Caliph groping like unto one who 
searcheth for light. 

' 0,' said the chief of the eunuchs, ' what evil 
hath befallen my royal lord ? Why doth he re- 
fuse to look upon his prostrate slaves? The 
whole city wait with longing eyes to behold their 



KELAUN AND GUZZARAT. 69 

new Caliph ; and Raalcour seeth not the slaves 
which acknowledge him for their lord.' 

' Proclaim, then,' said Kelaun, ' the mightiest 
rewards for him who shall restore to the powers 
of sight the Caliph of Bagdat.' 

Seven days went the heralds forth with trum- 
pets and hautboys, and proclaimed the mightiest 
rewards for him who should restore to the powers 
of sight the Caliph of Bagdat. 

The tribe who give ease to the sick came to the 
palace in throngs, all promising sight to the blind 
Caliph ; but their applications had no effect on the 
representative of Raalcour. 

The Caliph, enraged by disappointment, dis- 
missed all those that failed with ignominy ; and 
at length, irritated by successive failures, and pain- 
ful remedies, denounced sentence of death against 
any who should in future undertake the cure, and 
fail of success. 

All now feared to approach the monarch, and 
the eyes of the Caliph were still strangers to light. 
After a time, came a young man in the habit of 
a physician, and required to be brought before the 
Caliph, that he might try his ski]l. The attend- 
ants in the seraglio were sorry to see any more 
pretenders arrive ; and they cautioned the young 
physician not to undertake a cure, which was so 
likely to end in his own destruction. To these 
remonstrances he answered nothing ; but with a 
smile bade them not distrust his skill, but imme- 
diately admit him to the presence of the Caliph. 

The slaves and eunuchs of Kelaun obeyed with 
reluctance, and led the young man into the cham- 
ber of the fictitious Caliph, with the like silence 
and sorrow that they would have carried out a 
friend to the inclosures of the dead. 

The young physician made his obeisance before 



70 TALES OF THE GENII, 

Kelaun ; but the surly monarch bade him proceed 
to his work without delay, as the hand of the exe- 
cutioner waited for his head. The young man 
seemed not the least dismayed by his threats, but, 
taking a quantity of powder from a bag which he 
held under his vest, he blew it in the face of the 
Caliph, and the scales fell from his eyes, and Kelaun 
beheld the light. 

The attendants in the seraglio beheld with joy 
the happy transformation, and the Caliph surveyed 
with eyes of pleasure the man who had blessed 
him with sight. 

' Let this physician,' said he, ' be exalted in the 
land ; let him be above every vizier and every 
noble in our realms ; let honour attend him, and 
every new sun behold him more and more respected 
and beloved. Demand of me,' continued Kelaun, 
6 demand what reward your soul would wish to be 
possessed of, even to the half of my kingdom, and 
thou shalt enjoy it.' 

f Caliph,' answered the young physician, ' far 
be it from me to seek honour or riches ; far be it 
from a humble cottager to mix in the tumults of 
the great : forgive me but one deceit, and the heart 
of thy servant shall rest satisfied for ever.' 

As she spake these words, the young physician 
threw off her disguise, and Kelaun beheld that he 
was talking to a beauteous female. 

' Happy am I,' said the Caliph Kelaun, 'that 
nature has pointed out a proper reward for my 
lovely physician : yes, fair stranger,' continued he, 
' thou art the sultana of my heart, and shalt divide 
with me the pleasures of the empire which I enjoy.' 

The fair stranger fell at the Caliph's feet, and 
after a short silence, thus addressed the fictitious 
Raalcour : 

' To be the meanest of thy slaves is the wish of 



KELAUN AND GUZZARAT. 7 1 

Guzzarat, the daughter of the peasant Kaask, a 
base inhabitant of the mountains of Gabel-el-ared.' 

' I know not,' answered Kelaun, ' the mountains 
you speak of; but Paradise itself would not be 
degraded by the birth of my lovely Sultana. — But 
why do I suffer such perfection to lie on the earth, 
like the jewel that is unfound, when it will add 
such lustre to my erown ? Yes, lovely stranger, 
this day shall make thee wife of the Caliph Raalcour.' 

' Strange it is, my lord,' said Guzzarat, rising, 
' that the prince Raalcour should be ignorant of 
the mountains of Gabel-el-ared, where you have so 
often chased the foaming tiger on the rocks that 
hung over the cottage of my father, and where I 
have, with wishful eyes, traced your divine steps : 
nay, doth not my lord remember that once, when 
tired and fatigued with the chase, he prayed my 
mother to bring him a cup of water ; and she sent 
your slave Guzzarat to you with the milk of her 
goats ? Yes, my lord, you smiled when I approached, 
and you bade me obey with cheerfulness the com- 
mand of my parent.' 

The son of Canfu understood not this conver- 
sation ; his memory of the past was taken from 
him ; neither otherwise could he have known what 
the true Raalcour had done before his transform- 
ation. 

f Alas, my princess !' answered Kelaun, ' I lost 
with my sight all the memory of the past ; neither 
knew I my state, when my slaves came around me, 
till my faithful eunuch declared to me my titles ; 
but whether thou art descended from a throne, or 
a cottage, — whether thou earnest like the sapphire 
from the entrance of the earth, or, like the morn- 
ing star from the chambers of the sun, — thy worth 
is in thyself, and can receive no additional lustre 
from that which surrounds it. But by what art, 



72 TALES OF THE GENII. 

my fair stranger, did you work this miracle in my 
behalf? Who did open the treasures of physic 
before thee, and where did the young virgin of the 
mountains obtain a knowledge surpassing the sages 
who have long studied in the city ? ' 

' My lord,' answered Guzzarat, ' shall hear his 
slave unfold all her knowledge before him/ 

6 Several moons had passed since I had seen my 
prince Raalcour hunting in the mountains ; when 
I heard from the caravans which travelled over our 
rocks, that the Caliph Zimphrah was no more, and 
that Eaalcour, his son, was proclaimed Caliph of 
Bagdat : the travellers also informed me that the 
Caliph's sight was departed from him, and that 
high rewards were published for those who should 
restore him to his sight. 

' Hearing these things, my mind was with my 
lord the Caliph, and I wished for the power of 
giving light to the eyes of my prince ; and I said 
to my mother, — ' that Guzzarat was capable of 
restoring sight to the blind ! ' 

1 ' Wherefore/ said the wife of Eaask, ' doth Guz- 
zarat long to occupy the business of the sages?' 
Then made I answer, ' Knoweth not my mother, 
that the Caliph languisheth in darkness, and the 
sight of his eyes is passed from him ? ' And she 
answered : ' Vain Guzzarat ! how doth the pomp 
of greatness bewilder the thoughts and wishes of 
the poor. Alas ! my daughter hath forgotten con- 
tentment since she saw the richness of the gar- 
ments of the prince Raalcour ! Vain Guzzarat ! 
return to thy charge, and feed the goats in the 
pastures of Gabel-el-ared.' 

' So saying, my angry parent drove me before 
her, and ordered me to keep my father's goats from 
straying on the mountains. My feet obeyed the 
voice of my mother ; but my heart fled like a leo- 



KELAUN AND GUZZARAT. 73 

pard over the rocks, and was fixed on my lord the 
Caliph. 

c I went, discontented, with my goats to the 
mountains, and ridiculed the poverty and humility 
of my parents. ' Why,' said I, sighing, ' hath na- 
ture put aspiring minds under the fetters of age 
and authority ? why must the quick pulse of gaiety 
and youth be deadened by the torturing precepts of 
infirmity ? Doth not the young lion rush more 
furiously on its prey, than the aged sovereign of 
the woods ? doth not the colt outstrip its mother 
in the chase ? Why then should the bloom of 
Guzzarat be hidden and buried with the wrinkles 
of the wife of Eaask ? ' 

6 As I spake thus to the rocks and caverns, I 
beheld a young shepherdess entering the pastures ; 
her hair was interwoven with the pride of the field, 
and chaplets of flowers hung around her garments ; 
she lightly tripped with her feet to the music of a 
flute which she breathed upon, and her voice, like 
the voice of melody, was intermingled with the 
wild notes of her instrument. 

6 As she advanced with her flocks, I arose to 
meet her in the dance. She smiled at my approach, 
and thus began her pleasant raillery : 

6 ' O elegant companion of the goats and sheep, 
how dost thou love to revel here in the luxurious 
bosom of thy parent mountain ! Happy Guzzarat, 
whose pleasure is obedience ; and happier Eaask, 
who is blessed with the eldest daughter of duty 
and submission ! ' 

' As she thus spake, she cast a smile of ridicule 
upon me, and turning cried out, * Follow, dear 
Guzzarat, yon adventurous goat ; behold, thy com- 
panion is clambering among the precipices ! ' 

' 1 looked, indeed, and saw the goat was straying, 
but, stung with her severities, I cried out, * fair 



74 TALES OF THE GENII. 

stranger, rather lessen my misfortunes by your 
pity and advice, than increase them by your cruel 
reflections.' 

* ' Is Guzzarat, then,' said the shepherdess, ' willing 
to follow the advice of her friend?' — 'Yes,' an- 
swered I, ' deliver me but from this distressed 
situation, and I will for ever acknowledge your 
kindness.' 

' ' Then,' answered the shepherdess, ' return to 
your cottage ; and whatever you are ordered to 
perforin, be disobedient ; and if I find you faithful, 
meet me here in three days.'— As she said thus, 
she again began her song, and, winding with her 
flock among the rocks, soon stole from my sight. 

' At night I returned to the cottage, and the 
wife of Eaask ordered me to prepare a kid for 
our suppers ; but her commands were to me of less 
consequence than the promise which I had made 
the shepherdess of the mountains. The wife of 
Eaask was enraged at my disobedience, and my 
father being absent, she called her neighbour Canfu 
to help in subduing her refractory daughter. 

' The monster Canfu was rejoiced to torment 
me : he dragged me to tho cottage, and tied me to 
a post that is fixed before the door/ — 

' Who,' said the Caliph, enraged, and interrupt- 
ing Guzzarat's tale, ' who is this wretch Canfu ? ' 

* Prince of my life,' answered Guzzarat, ' you 
have not yet heard the cruelties of this base shep- 
herd ; my ignominious situation did not satisfy the 
malice that he had conceived against me. 

1 My father returned home at night, and hearing 
of my obstinacy, commended his wife for calling 
in the assistance of Canfu to subdue me. But I 
told him I was tired of a peasant's life, and would 
not be controlled. 

' Eaask put on frowns as I spoke, and his coun- 



KELAUN AND GUZZARAT. 75 

tenance was turned against me. — ' What ! ' said he, 
'dost thou despise the parents that have nour- 
ished thee, and thy friends that would reclaim thee ? 
Then let the blessings of them that would bless 
thee turn into curses on thy disobedient head, and 
let the friendship of Canfu be fury and control 
over thee ! ' — ' Yes,' answered the cruel Canfu, ' I, 
my friend, will subdue this wicked Guzzarat for 
thee. The heart of the parent bleedeth for the 
tears of its offspring ; but correction cometh best 
from a friend.— Ah ! would that some friend had 
trained for me the impetuous spirit of my son, 
which I fear has in some way or other led him to 
destruction.' 

' My father then delivered me into the hands of 
the monster Canfu, who forced me from the sight 
of my parents to his odious cottage. As soon as 
we arrived there, I was given over to the correction 
of his wife. — 

6 ' There,' said the wretch Canfu, ' revenge the 
loss of thy son on this proud disobedient female.' — 

1 The eyes of the wife of Canfu glistened as she 
beheld me ; and her rage and revenge broke out 
into blows and imprecations ; nor did the merciless 
woman forbear, till, overcome with her cruelty, I 
sunk to the ground.'— 

' By the powers of desolation,' said the fictitious 
Caliph Kelaun, ' the wretch Canfu, and his cursed 
wife, shall experience the most exquisite tortures ! 
— Let them,' continued he, turning to his eunuchs, 
' let the wretches be brought, ere the morning, to 
the divan, and let a scaffold be erected, so that the 
whole city may be witness to their punishment.' 

' Yea,' answered Guzzarat, prostrating herself 
before the Caliph, ' so let the enemies of the 
righteous perish ! ' 

' Proceed,' said the Caliph, raising her up, ' pro- 



76 TALES OF THE GENII. 

ceed lovely Guzzarat in your tale : I am in terrors 
to think how you escaped the malice of your ac- 
cursed enemies.' 

' For two days/ answered Guzzarat, ' I was con- 
fined and vexed by Canfu and his wife ; and the 
third day, as she led me forth to inflict her daily 
stripes upon me (her husband being with his flock), 
I rose up against her and contended with her. She 
called for help, but no one was near : at length I 
prevailed, and leaving her stretched on the ground 
in a swoon, I hastened to the rocks, where I had 
before seen the shepherdess of the mountains ; still 
in terrors lest Canfu should stray in the same paths. 
At the decline of the sun, my fair instructress 
appeared, but her flock followed her not ; she held 
in one hand a bag, and in the other a bundle of 
raiment. 

6 As she advanced forward, she held forth the 
bag to me, saying, ' My spirited pupil, take this 
powder, and put on this raiment, the garb of a sage 
of Bagdat ; and I will convey you to that city, 
where you must demand admittance to the Caliph, 
and, throwing some of this powder in his eyes, he 
shall receive his sight.' 

' She then arrayed me in the vestments she had 
brought; and, giving me the bag, she blew upon 
me, and in a moment I found myself in the streets 
of Bagdat, before the royal palace, where a crowd 
soon gathered around me. 

' ' What ! ' said they, ' art thou alone left of our 
sages, or art thou a stranger ? which if thou art, 
and canst not give sight to the blind, depart this 
city.' — < Yes,' answered I, ' I am come to restore 
Kaalcour to his sight.' — ' Then may the Prophet 
bless thy work ! ' answered they. 

' Immediately I entered the palace, and thy 
eunuchs brought me before my lord the Caliph.' 



KELAUN AND GUZZARAT. J J 

' This day,' said the fictitious Kaalcour, ' shall 
be for ever remembered with joy ; for I have not 
only received the sight of my eyes, but also an 
object worthy of their utmost contemplation.' 

The Caliph then took the ambitious fair one by 
the hand ; and that day she was proclaimed the 
destined Sultaness of Bagdat, and a period was 
appointed for the solemn celebration of the nuptials, 
which were to be graced by the punishment of 
Canfu and his wife as a part of the spectacle. In 
the mean time the Caliph sent out an amied body 
to apprehend Canfu and his wife. 

The soldiers arrived at the cottage in the night, 
and beating against the door, demanded Canfu to 
come forth. Canfu looked through the lattice, and 
saw t^he soldiers of the Caliph ; and being terrified 
at the sight, he cried out, ' Genii of the air, 
where is Kelaun, my son ? where are the promises 
which you made to the wretched Canfu ? now, if 
ever, help my distress ! ' 

As he spoke, the evil Genius Giuaraha appeared : — 
' What,' said she, ' does my subject Canfu require?' 
— ' 0,' answered Canfu, 'the soldiers of the Caliph 
beset me ; thou knowest, good Genius, that they 
are the instruments of death.' 

' Fear not, shepherd,' answered Giuaraha ; ' have 
not I said it, and who shall make vain my words ? 
Even yet shalt thou see Kelaun, thy son, in the 
arms of the imperious Guzzarat. — Nay,' continued 
she, ' ask me no more ; thy wish alone was to see 
thy son Kelaun the husband of thy neighbour 
Eaask's daughter ; the Genii of the air are content 
to fulfil their promises. If we grant your wish, 
what more have you to require ? Whether the 
blind wish of mortality proceedeth from wisdom or 
folly, concerneth but little our immortal race.' 

Thus saying, Giuaraha turned from Canfu with a 



78 TALES OF THE GENII. 

smile of contempt, and spreading her airy pinions, 
disappeared from his sight ; and the soldiers, rushing 
into the cottage, hound the wretched parents of 
Kelaun, and led them away to the city of Bagdat. 

Before the sun was awakened from the dream of 
night, Canfu and his wife were led in chains to the 
outer court of the palace ; and the first salutation 
which the eunuchs gave the fictitious Kaalcour and 
his new Sultana was, that Canfu and his wife were 
confined in chains in the outer court of the seraglio. 
The eyes of Guzzarat sparkled with pride and self- 
satisfaction at the eunuchs' report. ' Now shall the 
hase-horn Canfu and his wife how hefore my great- 
ness ! ' she exclaimed. ' Commander of the Faith- 
ful ! ' she continued, ' deign to order that the peasant 
Canfu and his wife he brought before us.' 

At the command of the Sultan, a throne was 
raised before the gates of the palace, and amidst 
the shouts and cheers of the assembled multitude, 
the supposed Caliph led forth the imperious Guz- 
zarat, and seated her by his side. The heralds 
then proclaimed silence, the uproar ceased, and the 
crowd making way, the guards led the unhappy 
Canfu and his wife to the foot of the royal throne. 
The miserable pair shook with fear ; the sinews of 
Canfu were almost shrunk up by terror, and the 
vision of day was fast fading from his eyes, when 
a bright form suddenly stood before him, and waving 
her hand, seemed to restore him to consciousness. 
She was clad in refulgent armour of gold, a thou- 
sand feathers nodded from her crest ; on her left 
hand sat perched a little bird, and in her right hand 
she held a wand of adamant. The guards of Kelaun 
were confounded at the sight ; they stood motion- 
less, while the Genius Hassarack thus addressed 
the amazed Canfu : — 

' The law of his Prophet was grievous unto 



KELAUN AND GUZZARAT. 79 

Canfu,' said the Genius Hassarack, ' and the un- 
searchable way of the great Alia seemed unto him 
crooked and unjust. Shall then the thoughts of 
the righteous Alia be likened unto his thoughts ? 
or shall the hand of Him who made the stars and 
sun, be guided by the vain decrees of a reptile's 
heart ? 

4 O Canfu ! thou short-sighted, unbelieving wretch, 
what hast thou gained by leaving the worship of 
Mahomet, to follow the wicked steps of the apostate 
Genii ? It was because the Prophet of the Faithful 
knew, that only evil could arise from the loves of 
Guzzarat and Kelaun, that he had intended ever to 
separate them, thereby to bless and prolong the life 
of Canfu, his votary: but since you have denied 
Mahomet, your guardian, and sought fellowship 
with his enemies, therefore he hath suffered them 
to repay your impious services with such exquisite 
miseries, by granting you the foolish wishes of your 
heart. — Behold then, thou worshipper of the evil 
Genii, thou impious renegade, thou blasphemer of 
our holy Prophet, the desires of thy heart completed.' 

As Hassarack spake thus, she again waved her 
hand, and the robes of the Caliph fell from the 
fictitious Raalcour, and the form of his face was as 
the form of Kelaun, the son of the shepherd Canfu. 

The tortured Canfu looked with amaze on his 
metamorphosed son ; nor was Kelaun less aston- 
ished, when, recovering his former shape and 
memory, he perceived that his severities had been 
directed against his father and mother. 

' cursed Giuaraha,' said the faltering Canfu, 
' thou hast indeed joined Kelaun with the haughty 
Guzzarat. Thy promise is fulfilled, and Canfu falls 
a prey to the follies of his own short-sighted desires.' 

As he thus spake, the wretched shepherd sunk 
on the earth, with his eyes fixed on Kelaun, and 



80 TALES OF THE GENII. 

the imperious Guzzarat. The good Genius ap- 
proached, and raised the almost expiring penitent. 
'Alia/ she said, ' is merciful ; he gives thee the re- 
mainder of thy days to practise the lessons he has 
taught thee by adversity — to control thy desires, 
and seek to discharge the duties which lie in thy 
path — trusting events to him alone.' 

Guzzarat beheld these strange metamorphoses 
with displeasure ; instead of the Caliph Kaalcour, 
she found herself tied to her neighbour Kelaun, 
and herself no longer Sultaness of Bagdat, but 
again a mean shepherdess of Gabel-el-ared. Her 
tongue was charged with malice, and her eyes with 
resentment ; but Hassarack had, by her magic 
power, stopped all further utterance of her passions. 

The multitude were hardly less astonished at 
these amazing changes than the principal actors 
themselves. They saw with pleasure one tyrant 
deposed; but they knew not how the shepherd 
Kelaun could personate their Caliph. 

Hassarack knew their thoughts ; and turning to 
the populace, ' Where,' said she, ' inhabitants of 
Bagdat, where is your Caliph Kaalcour ? — Behold 
him,' proceeded she, ' here in the form of this bird, 
suffering the malice of the evil Genii. But do not 
think, O inhabitants of Bagdat,' continued she, 
* that Mahomet had permitted this transformation, 
unless Kaalcour, by neglecting to attend to the 
religious duties enjoined by the Prophet, had sub- 
jected himself to the displeasure of Alia. — But his 
sufferings are at an end. and to me it is given to 
restore your lost Caliph to his subjects.' 

Thus saying, she gently stroked the bird with 
her wand, and by degrees Raalcour was restored to 
his former shape. 

The inhabitants of Bagdat saw, with the utmost 
joy, the pleasing transformation, and sent up their 



KELAUN AND GUZZARAT. 8 1 

public thanksgivings to Mahomet and Hassarack, 
who had delivered them from the bondage of the 
tyrant Kelaun, and restored to them their lawful 
Caliph, Kaalconr. 

Kaalcour was no sooner sensible of his transform- 
ation than he ascended the scaffold, and kneeling 
in the sight of all his subjects, ' Thus,' said he, 
' O my people, do I petition our Prophet for pardon 
and peace. To Alia, the all-powerful, belong glory 
and worship ; and base are we, his creatures, if we 
neglect to pay our religious services unto him. For 
what is the most perfect mode of life, or upright- 
ness, free from guile, if we neglect to praise and 
bless the Author of our existence ?' 

' Well pleased am I,' said Hassarack, ' to see 
these early acknowledgments of your gratitude, O 
Caliph ; and now, having humbled yourself before 
Alia, ascend your throne ; to you I leave the dis- 
posal of these offenders against Alia and his Pro- 
phet. Let the first act of your new reign show 
that justice, tempered by mercy, shall govern your 
councils.' 

The Caliph and his people bowed down their 
heads before the benignant Genius ; when they 
raised themselves, she was gone. 

' Alia,' cried Kaalcour, ' direct the mind of 
thy servant, and may his strength be in thee ! ' So 
saying, the Caliph ascending his throne, remained 
silent for a few moments, while he cast a searching 
glance around him, as if to read in the looks and 
gestures of the culprits the course he ought to 
take. 

Kelaun had thrown himself at the feet of his 
parents — the beautiful Guzzarat remained standing 
at a little distance with her hands folded on her 
bosom, and her eyes fixed on the ground. 

The Caliph made a sign that the whole party 
G 



82 TALES OF THE GENII. 

should approach his throne ; and, having com- 
manded that the chains should be taken from off 
Canfu and his wife, he thus addressed the shepherd: 

< O Canfu, thou hast sinned against Alia and 
his Prophet, and thou hast been punished in the 
very accomplishment of thy wishes ; but against 
me thou hast committed no crime. Thou art free 
then ; but before thy departure, ask some favour 
of thy sovereign to crown this happy day.' 

A shout of applause rung through the air. Canfu 
prostrated himself before the throne of the Com- 
mander of the Faithful, and returned thanks to 
Alia. The favour he sought was — that as his 
cabin had been burnt by the soldiers, he might be 
allotted some spot of ground in a region a little 
removed from that which would now only serve to 
remind him of his guilt and affliction, and be left 
to spend the rest of his life in penitence and peace. 

His prayer was granted. 

The Caliph then turned to Kelaun, and having* 
heard the impostor's eventful story from his own 
lips, he kindly said, ' Kelaun, thou hast sinned 
indeed, but still more hast thou been sinned against. 
I first pronounce thy marriage void, since Guzzarat 
sought not Kelaun but the Caliph. And as thy 
habits and education seem better suited to a court 
than to private life, I will assign thee a place near 
my own person, where thou may'st yet enjoy great- 
ness consistently with thy duty. 

Kelaun fell at the feet of his sovereign. ' O, 
gracious and most worthy representative of the 
Prophet ! ' said he, ' the sorrowful Kelaun asks but 
one boon of his Sultan — that he may be permitted 
to leave the scene of his imposture, and, retiring 
to the humble life in which he was born, consecrate 
his future days to the happiness of his parents, 



KELAUN AND GUZZARAT. 83 

and use the talents lie has acquired for the benefit 
of those in his own sphere.' 

The Caliph graciously held out his hand, which 
Kelaun, kneeling, reverently kissed. 

Eaalcour now turned to Guzzarat, and with a 
sterner aspect than he had hitherto worn, desired 
her to exchange forgiveness with Kelaun, and then 
tendered her the protection of the Sultana, his 
mother, if she chose to remain in Bagdat. But 
the pride of Guzzarat was humhled ; hetter feelings 
stole into her mind with the remembrance of her 
deserted parents, and she besought permission of 
her royal master to return to their dwelling, 
under a safe escort, where she might atone for her 
past faults by her future dutiful submission. 

The Caliph applauded her decision, and sent 
her back to her parents, with such gifts as should 
ensure comfort to them in their humble sphere for 
the remainder of their lives. 

About twenty-five or thirty years after the events 
we have related took place, the Caliph Akbar having 
succeeded his father Eaalcour, was hunting in a 
wild region, about a day's journey from the moun- 
tains of Gabel-el-ared, when he and three of his 
attendants, having lost their way in the shades of 
the evening, met a well-clad thriving-looking moun- 
taineer, between forty and fifty years of age ; they 
inquired for the nearest shelter, and were invited 
to his cottage, whose glimmering light they beheld 
at a distance. Children of all ages ran out to 
meet their father, from the maiden just entering 
into womanhood, to the child who was clinging to 
its mother's knee. 

A rustic but plentiful meal was set before the 
wanderers ; and the Caliph, having satisfied the 
demands of hunger, retired to the room which the 
G2 



84 TALES OF THE GENII. 

shepherd and his wife had resigned to his use, — 
while the mother and her children, with an aged 
father, had hetaken themselves to a neighbouring 
cottage for shelter. 

The three attendants of the Caliph having stretch- 
ed themselves on the ground, began to converse in 
the language of the court, nor did they interrupt 
themselves when their host came in with logs and 
began to kindle a fire ; for as he, like other shep- 
herds, spoke the dialect of the mountains, they felt 
themselves secure from being understood by him. 
But the good shepherd as it happened was familiar 
with the Arabian language, and heard certain words 
on a subject which awakened all his attention. Pre- 
tending to be busied in arranging the apartment, 
and disposing of his milk and the remains of the 
meal, he overheard enough of their conversation 
to perceive that they had formed a plot to murder 
the Caliph, and seat his brother on the throne. 
They frequently mentioned the name of Giuaraha, 
and the shepherd gathered that she was the friend 
and ally of the Caliph's brother, and that they had 
been instructed by her to lead him astray, and take 
the first opportunity of dispatching him by stran- 
gling, which it seemed they proposed to do as soon 
as all should be at rest in the cottage ; and then to 
carry his body to the camp, and pretend that he 
had fallen from his horse. They appeared to have 
accomplices at Bagdat, who had agreed, on receiv- 
ing intelligence of their Caliph's death, to carry 
off his Sultana and children, and proclaim his bro- 
ther, Haffda, their Caliph. Having collected all 
that he required to know, from the mouths of the 
traitors, the shepherd, declaring that he would look 
to the strangers' horses and then retire to rest, 
hastened to the Caliph's sleeping-room, and climb- 



KELAUN AND GUZZARAT. 85 

ing in at the window he cautiously awoke him, 
and informed him of the plot he had just over- 
heard. 

The Caliph perceiving that no time was to he lost, 
hastily and cautiously followed his host hy the 
window, and mounting one of the horses, while 
the shepherd took another, and left the others at 
large (to deprive the villains of their use), they 
made the hest of their way through that wild re- 
gion, which, being perfectly familiar to the shep- 
herd, they rapidly crossed, though night had cast 
her veil over all nature. They reached the hunting 
camp before dawn, and found the officers in great 
consternation at their Caliph's absence. Having 
secured those whom he knew (from what had been 
overheard in the cottage) to be engaged in the con- 
spiracy, the Caliph despatched them, with a small 
party under the shepherd's guidance, and who were 
ordered to secure the three traitors whom they had 
left. He then set out with the remainder of his 
faithful followers, and arrived at Bagdat in time to 
crush the conspiracy, for the favourers of Haffda 
were awaiting the return of those who had under- 
taken to dispatch the Caliph before they ventured 
to proclaim his brother. 

But great was the consternation of the Caliph 
to find that the Sultana and her children had fled, 
in consequence of her having discovered a plot 
to seize them. He immediately despatched trusty 
messengers in search of them, and they were 
found under the protection of a poor widow and 
her son, among the mountains of Gabel-el-ared, 
who had concealed them at the risk of their own 
lives from the strict search of their pursuers. 
The Sultana insisted on taking her deliverers 
with her to present them to the Caliph, and she 



86 TALES OF THE GENII. 

gave orders that they should be carefully lodged 
till she should command them to her presence. 

The Caliph had not been unmindful of his 
shepherd host : he and his family were brought 
to court. And on one of those days when the 
Caliph was accustomed to sit on a throne ele- 
vated under an awning, at the gates of the palace, 
the shepherd was brought before him, and re- 
ceived the thanks of his sovereign in presence 
of the multitude, who rent the air with shouts 
for their Caliph and for his deliverer. The Caliph 
commanded silence, and ordering the shepherd 
to draw near, — ' It is plain,' said he, ' that you 
are not unfit for courts, your tongue bespeaks 
some other calling than that of a shepherd, and 
other breeding than that of a mountaineer ; you 
shall be exalted to the right hand of your Caliph ; 
wealth and honours shall be poured on your head/ 

' Commander of the Faithful,' said the shep- 
herd, kissing the skirt of his garment, ' suffer 
thy servant to decline these unmerited favours, 
and to take back with him to his valleys only 
a grateful remembrance of his sovereign's good- 
ness. I have known courts; — even to this court 
I am no stranger.' 

6 How ! — when ! ' exclaimed the astonished Ca- 
liph, ' when could you ever have trodden these 
courts before ? ' 

' When I sat on that seat,' replied the shepherd, 
pointing to the throne, — ' for know, most mighty 
Caliph, that thy servant is that Kelaun whose 
story has been recorded in the chronicles of your 
royal father's reign. If I mistake not greatly also, 
that humble widow, whose son now leads her to 
the royal presence by command of thy Sultana, 
is the once beauteous and haughty Guzzarat. 
When last we met in this royal court, we sat 



KELAUN AND GUZZARAT. 8/ 

side by side on that throne. The machinations 
of Giuaraha were for awhile triumphant over my 
Caliph's royal father. I was the wretched means 
she chose for their accomplishment, and but that 
Alia permitted the benevolent and powerful Has- 
sarack to interfere, thy servant had still perhaps 
been the wretched slave of Giuaraha, on the 
usurped throne of the Commander of the Faithful.' 

The Caliph was about to reply, when a slight 
noise was heard, and a mist arising, filled the 
court and gardens, through which the bright form 
of the good Genius Hassarack appeared in front 
of the divan ; she held a hand of the shepherd, 
and of that lowly widow also who had been the 
faithful preserver of her royal mistress. ' Kelaun 
and Guzzarat,' said she, ' you have alike profited 
by the lessons of adversity ; you have again been 
tempted, in the way most seductive to your natu- 
ral dispositions, by the offers of ambition — for I 
am aware of the Caliph's princely gratitude, and 
of the honours placed within thy reach, O Guz- 
zarat, by thy generous mistress — -yet you have 
remained faithful to your vows. To you, then, 
favoured children of Alia, it has been given to 
triumph over the machinations of the being who 
first seduced you. The power of Giuaraha is at 
an end. She had assumed the form of one of the 
conspirators who had remained in the camp : and 
having been, while under this disguise, suddenly 
seized and bound, by the Caliph's orders, she had 
no power to escape, or to resume her own form ; 
but was sent along with the others to the shep- 
herd's cottage, where all the traitors were doomed 
to fall by the hand of the executioner. 

' This I was permitted to make known to Kelaun s 
aged father Canfu. And I warned him at the 
same time, that Giuaraha was not vulnerable by 



88 TALES OF THE GENII. 

human weapons. The executioner's sword which 
destroyed the others, would be to her a release 
froni her bonds ; and she would, in her own re- 
stored shape, spread her wings, and soar away 
triumphant to devise fresh mischief. Accord- 
ingly, by Canfu's advice, who knew that it was by 
water alone the evil Genii could be destroyed, all 
the traitors were cast, bound as they were, into 
the neighbouring river. And Canfu, once more, 
beheld the body of his original seducer floating help- 
less down the stream, just where he had, long before, 
in an evil hour for him, rescued it from the water.' 

' So let all the enemies of the Prophet perish ! ' 
exclaimed the Caliph. 

' So also, 5 said the Genius, f may the enemies of 
Akbar perish while he puts his trust in Alia. 
The children of men can then only be truly 
miserable when they unite themselves to the 
children of evil.' 

So saying she vanished ; and amidst the shouts 
of the populace the royal party retired, with 
Kelaun and Guzzarat, into the inner apartments 
of the palace. There they learnt the simple 
sequel of their remarkable history. How Kelaun 
had passed a happy married life with the virtu- 
ous daughter of a neighbouring shepherd, and 
how Guzzarat, the meek and dutiful stay of her 
parents' last years, had become the wife of a 
good but humble mountaineer, who had left her 
at his death with an only son, and finally, how 
the aged Canfu yet lived a happy father, and the 
faithful servant of Alia. 

The two families shortly took their departure 
from Bagdat, loaded with every mark of esteem 
and favour which the royal pair could persuade 
them to accept. 

Guzzarat, and her son Sadaski, sojourned some 



KELAUN AND GUZZARAT. 89 

time at the happy home of Kelaun, nor did they 
depart till the virtuous Sadaski had won the af- 
fections of Kelaun' s eldest daughter, and prevailed 
on her to accompany him and his mother, as his 
bride, to the fair portion of land which the grate- 
ful Caliph had appointed for their inheritance in 
their native mountains of Gabel-el-ared. There 
they raised a numerous and thriving offspring, 
faithful and humble worshippers of Alia, and 
followers of that true and practical wisdom which 
they had imbibed from the history of their an- 
cestors — a race so enlightened and so virtuous, 
so hospitable and contented, that the descendants 
of Kelaun and Guzzarat became indeed the pride 
and glory of the mountains of Gabel-el-ared. 

* The words of Hassarack,' said the sage Iraca- 
gem, arising, { are laden with the dew of instruc- 
tion ; nor are our labours needless for the benefit 
of the children of men, since those accursed 
Genii, the rebellious mockers of our holy Pro- 
phet, are incessantly beguiling the footsteps of 
the reptiles of earth : but, praised be the Prophet 
whom we serve, that impious race have no power 
over the faithful and obedient disciples of Maho- 
met. Such as have refused his sacred laws, or, 
what is more dreadful, such as have known and 
yet disregarded his commandments, are left a prey 
to those disobedient spirits. But, O my sister,' 
continued the sage chief, to the Genius next to 
speak, s the eye of day grows dim, and these 
tabernacles of earth, whom we are instructing, 
will shortly sink with nature into the sleep of 
night; nor shall we break through the laws of 
the creation, or detain them from the blessings of 
rest. Alia hath made the day for labour and care, 
and the night for peace : and the works of Alia 
are wonderful and good.' 



90 TALES OF THE GENII. 

At these words the bright assembly arose, and 
left the children of earth to their attendant Genii, 
who were led into apartments, and refreshed with 
plain and simple diet: and early the next morn- 
ing, after their ablutions and attendance in the 
mosque, where the race of Immortals do frequent 
homage to their Prophet, they returned with their 
guardian Genii to the magnificent saloon, where, 
after the assembly were seated, the sage Iracagem 
arose and said : — ( The lessons of my brethren 
yesterday were first designed to inculcate a regular 
search after happiness, which religion alone cm- 
teach us, as the Merchant Abudah experienced in 
his various researches. 

6 Our first and greatest duty is to obey the all- 
powerful Alia, and to serve him in truth and 
humility. It will give joy and comfort to the sons 
of the Faithful, while we readily submit to our 
allotted task ; and call not in question, like Canfu, 
either the wisdom or mercy of Alia, who doth 
often withhold what might be esteemed blessings 
from us, in order to prevent us from the storm 
which we can neither foresee nor dissipate. To 
trust therefore in him, to love him, to exalt him, to 
obey, and to give him praise, is the chief end of 
the creation of man. But as mutual weakness 
requires mutual support, so the great Alia has 
given to his children the laws and the duties of 
social morality, which will be explained to their 
tender minds by example, fraught with the bless- 
ings of instruction : — Therefore, O sister,' said the 
sage Iracagem, to her w^hose throne was placed by 
Hassarack's, * let this favoured assembly partake of 
your entertaining advice.' 

The Genius immediately arose, and thus began 
her delightful relation. 



THE ENCHANTERS, 9 1 



TALE III. 

THE ENCHANTERS ; OR, MISNAR, THE SULTAN 
OF INDIA. 

AT the death of the mighty Dabulcombar, the 
lord of the East, Misnar, the first-born of the 
Sultan, ascended the throne of India : but though 
the hand of time had scarcely spread the fruits of 
manhood on his cheeks, yet neither the splendour 
of his court, nor the flatteries of the East, could 
steal from the youthful Sultan the knowledge of 
himself. 

His first royal command was to assemble to- 
gether the wise men throughout his extensive 
dominions, from Cabul and Attok, which are the 
evening boundaries of the sun, to Kehoa, and 
Thoanoa, the heads of whose mosques are tipt 
with his earliest beams. 

Then came the Faquir Ciumpso, from B ansae ; 
and Bahilu, the hermit of the Faithful, from 
Queda ; the sage Bouta hastened from Bisnagar ; 
and Candusa, the iman of Lahor, was not inobeclient 
to the royal decree. Sallasalsor, also, from Nechal, 
was there ; and Carnakan, a faithful worshipper, 
from the banks of Ava ; the prophet Mangelo, from 
the hollow rocks of Caxol ; and Garab, a silver- 
bearded sage, from the mountains Coharsi ; from 
Azo came a wise interpreter of dreams ; and from 
Narvan, the star-read philosopher Nezraked. Zeu- 
ramaund, the father of the prophets of Naugracut, 
led his visionary tribe from their native mountains, 



92 TALES OF THE GENII. 

and the wisest of their community were deputed 
to represent the brahmins of Lactora. 

The Sultan Misnar ordered the illustrious as- 
sembly to meet in the divan ; where, being placed 
on the throne of his forefathers, he thus opened 
unto them the desires of his heart : — 

' ye sources of light and fountains of know- 
ledge,' said Misnar, ' more precious are your coun- 
sels to me than the mines of Raalconda, or the big 
emerald from Gani : wisdom is the true support of 
honour, and the Sultan is established by the coun- 
sel of his sages. Say then, ye treasures of ex- 
perience, what shall Misnar devise that may secure 
him on the throne of the mighty Dabulcombar?' 

The sages in the divan were struck with astonish- 
ment at the condescension of their young Sultan, 
and one and all fell prostrate before his throne. 

6 May wisdom,' said they, ' guide the footsteps 
of the illustrious Misnar; may the mind of our 
Sultan be as the eye of day • ' 

Then arose the prophet Zeuramaund, and said : 

' I perceive, mighty Sultan, the dark clouds 
of evil are gathering to disturb the hours of 
futurity ; the spirits of the wicked are preparing 

the storm and the tempest against thee : but 

the volumes of fate are torn from my sight, and 
the end of thy troubles is unknown ! ' 

The venerable sages looked aghast as Zeura- 
maund uttered these ominous predictions in the 
spirit of prophecy ; for they perceived he spake as 
he was moved; the whole council were dismayed 
at his words, and all fell again prostrate on the earth. 

Misnar alone appeared unconcerned at his fate. 

1 my friends,' said the youthful Sultan, ' the 
rose cannot blossom without the thorn, nor life be 
unchequered by the frowns of fate ; the clouds of 
the air must lower before the rice springs forth; 



THE ENCHANTERS. 93 

and the mother feel the pangs of child-birth, ere 
she knows the pleasure of a parent. Grieve not, 
my friends, that trials attend me, since the spirit of 
prudence and virtue blossoms fairest in a rugged soil.' 

The sages arose as their royal master spake, 
and beheld with wonder the youthful countenance 
of their prudent Sultan. 

Silence and amazement for a time prevailed, till 
one of the sages advancing before the rest, thus 
counselled the intrepid prince : 

' O light of the earth,' said the trembling sage, 
* whose virtue and innocence have not been vexed 
by frauds and deceit ; whose pure mind seeth not 
the foul devices of man's heart ; trust not to the 
fickle interpositions of chance, where thine own 
arm can work security ; and establish a permanent 
foundation to thy father's throne. Thou hast a 
brother, O my Sultan, whose veins are filled with 
royal blood, and whose heart is by descent above 
control. Ahubal, therefore, ere the blood of his 
youth unfolds in the fulness of manhood, should 
be cut off, as the husbandman destroyeth the deadly 
lacar* in the field.' 

' What,' said the young Sultan Misnar, ' what 
do thy base suspicious fears advise ! Is there no 
way to build up the seatt of justice and mercy but 
in murder and fratricide ? Caution, when be- 
smeared in blood, is no longer virtue or wisdom, 
but wretched and degenerate cowardice : no, never 
let him that was born to execute judgment, secure 
his honours by cruelty and oppression ! The 
righteous Alia planted me not here to spread a 
poisonous shade over the offspring of his prophet 
Mahomet : though fear and submission be a sub- 

* Lacar is a kind of poisonous weed, found in great 
plenty in the inland parts of India, but little, if at all, 
known to Europeans. 



94 TALES OF THE GENII. 

ject's tribute, vet is mercy the attribute of Alia, 
and the most pleasing endowment of the vice- 
gerents of earth. But as thou, weak man, hast 
dared to advise the extirpation of one of the race 
of the mighty Dabulcombar, the vengeance of my 
injured brother's blood fasten upon thy life ! ' 

The guards of the divan, hearing the sentence 
of the Sultan, approached with their drawn sabres 
towards the decrepit sage ; but Misnar arising, 
cried out : — 

' Who of my subjects shall dare to violate with 
blood the sanctity of this refuge for the oppressed? 
Let the divan of justice be sacred : nevertheless, 
lead that author of malice from my sight, and let 
his own blood make satisfaction for the cruelty of 
his desires.' 

As he spake thus, the guards attempted to seize 
the sage : — but as they advanced towards him, 
flames of fire burst from his mouth, and his whole 
form appeared as the form of a fiery dragon. 

The rest of the sages fled from the dreadful 
monster ; but Misnar, with an intrepid counte- 
nance, stood before his throne, with his drawn 
sabre pointing towards the dragon ; when, through 
the flames, he perceived a hoary magician on the 
back of the monster. 

'Vain, O silly child of Mahomet,' said the en- 
chanter, ' was thy sabre against the power of my 
art, did not a superior force uphold thee : — but 
tremble at thy doom ; twice four of my race are 
determined against thee, and the throne of 'Dabul- 
combar noddeth over thy head; fear hath now 
preserved thee, and the weakness of thy heart, 
which the credulous believers of Mahomet will 
call prudence and moderation; but the fiend of 
darkness is let loose, and the powers of enchant- 
ment shall prevail ! ' 



THE ENCHANTERS. 95 

As the hoary magician spake thus, his fiery 
dragon, with tremendous hissings, arose, and 
cleaving the dome of the divan, disappeared from 
their sight. 

* Thus,' said the illustrious Misnar, * let the 
enemies of Mahomet he dismayed ! But inform 
me, O ye sages, under the semblance of which 
of your brethren did that foul enchanter gain ad- 
mittance here ? ' 

' May the lord of my heart,' answered Bahilu, 
the hermit of the Faithful from Queda, ■ triumph 
over all his foes ! As I travelled on the mountains 
from Queda, and saw neither the footsteps of beasts 
nor the flights of birds, behold, I chanced to pass 
through a cavern, in whose hollow sides I found 
this accursed sage, to whom I unfolded the invita- 
tion of the Sultan of India ; and we joining, jour- 
neyed toward the divan ; but ere we entered, he 
said unto me, Put thy hand forth, and pull me 
toward thee into the divan, calling on the name 
of Mahomet, for the evil spirits are on me, and 
vex me ! ' 

After the hermit Bahilu had spoken, Mangelo 
arose. 

' May the power of the Sultan of the East be 
multiplied ! ' said he ; ' but know, Sultan, that 
neither evil Genius, nor enchanter, can enter this 
seat of justice, unless he be invited in the name of 
Mahomet.' 

' If it be so,' answered the Sultan Misnar, ' then 
neither can they be masked against the voice of 
justice ; for thou, righteous Alia, wilt uphold 
the tribunal which thou hast founded upon earth, 
and make the visions of fraud to depart from him 
who seeketh truth. Therefore,' continued the 
Sultan, ' lest this assembly be still tainted with 
malice and infidelity, as the poisonous herb groweth 



96 TALES OF THE GENII. 

most luxuriantly beside the plants of health, I 
command the evil spirits to stand confessed be- 
fore me.' 

At his word, sulphureous smokes arose, and 
from the thronged assembly, seven hideous forms 
broke forth. 

First, on a vulture's pinions, the fell enchanter 
Tasnar soared aloft, whose skin was as the parched 
Indian's, when he writhes impaled upon the bloody 
stake. 

Next, on the back of an enormous scorpion, 
whose tail dropped deadlypoison,Ahaback appeared, 
and with his eyes darted malignant flashes on the 
youthful Sultan. 

Him followed Happuck, a subtile magician, on 
the shoulders of a tiger, whose mane was shagged 
with snakes, and whose tail was covered with 
twining adders. 

Hupacusan also, that decrepit hag, who per- 
sonated the righteous Sallasalsor, from Nechal, now 
stripped of the garments of hypocrisy, filled the 
eyes of the sages with terror and amazement. 
Her lean bones, wrapped round with yellow skin, 
appeared like the superstitious mummies of the 
western Egypt. She was mounted on a monster 
more dreadful and uncouth than the fever-parched 
wretch beholds when, in restless slumbers, he 
sinks from woe to woe upon his bed of sickness. 
Its form was like the deadly spider, but in bulk 
like the elephant of the woods ; hairs like cobwebs 
covered its long bony legs, and from behind, a bag 
of venom, of a whitish hue, spurted forth its ma- 
lignant influence. 

She was followed by her malicious sister Ulin, 
squatting on the back of a broad-bellied toad, whose 
mouth opened like the pestilence that swalloweth 
up the fainting inhabitants of Delhi. 



THE ENCHANTERS. 97 

Then, with a loud hiss, started forth in many 
a fold, a black serpent, in length and bulk like the 
qedars of the forest, bearing the powerful enchan- 
tress Desra, whose wide-extended ears covered a 
head of iniquity, and whose shrivelled bosom 
panted over a heart of adamant. 

Last, with majestic horrors, the giant Kifri 
swelled into his full proportion, and, like a totter- 
ing mountain,, reared himself aloft ; the long, 
immeasurable alligator that bore him groaned with 
his load, and opening all his mouths (for every 
scale appeared a mouth), vomited forth streams of 
blood. In his hand the giant brandished a stately 
pine, blasted with lightning ; which shaking at the 
dauntless Misnar ; — 

' Tremble, vile reptile,' said he, in a thundering 
voice ; ' tremble, vile reptile, at a giant's wrath ! 
tremble at the magic powers of all my brethren ; 
if such a name becomes our race, unbound, unfet- 
tered by the ties of nature : tremble, vile reptile ; 
for thy doom is fixed ! ' 

At these words the infernal brood joined their 
voices with Kifri' s, and all at once pronounced in 
harsh discordant sounds, ' Tremble, vile reptile ; 
for thy doom is fixed ! ' 

The enchanters were then involved in a thick 
cloud of smoke, from which issued broad flashes 
of red lightning, which, ascending to the roof of 
the divan, in a moment disappeared. 

' There is neither wisdom nor prudence,' said 
Misnar, as he prostrated himself on the ground, 
after the enchantments were at an end, ' but what 
are derived from Alia, and are the gift of the Pro- 
phet of the Faithful. If thou dost vouchsafe to 
direct my steps, Protector of Mussulmen, the 
fear of evil shall not come upon me.' 

' Happy,' said Candusa, the iman of Lahor, with 
H 



98 TALES OF THE GENII. 

his breast on the earth, ' happy is the prince whose 
trust is in Alia, and whose wisdom conieth frora 
the thirteenth heaven.' 

' Happy,' said all the sages, humbling them- 
selves before the Sultan Misnar, ' happy is our 
Sultan, the favourite of Alia ! ' 

' That,' replied Misnar, ' sages, is too much 
even for the Sultan of the East to hear ; but may 
the all-righteous Alia approve of my thoughts and 
actions ! so shall the infernal powers destroy the 
wretches that employ them, and the dark poisoned 
arrow recoil upon him that blew it forth. * But, O 
sages, though your numbers are reduced, your in- 
tegrity is more tried and approved ; therefore let 
Misnar, your Sultan, partake of the sweetness of 
your counsels, and learn from aged experience the 
wisdom of the sons of earth. Say, then, what 
doth the peace and security of my throne require 
from me concerning my brother Ahubal, the issue 
of the mighty Dabulcombar ?' 

' Far be it from me,' said the sage Carnakan, 
' to presume to utter my words as oracles before 
the prince : but may not the security of the East 
require that the prince, thy brother, be not en- 
larged, as my Sultan is, to do whatsoever seemeth 
good in his heart ? Should not the younger be as 
servant to the first-born of his father, and are not 
all the princes the vassals of the Sultans of the 
East ? Let, therefore, the prince Ahubal enjoy 
the pleasures of life ; but let him be removed from 
giving pain and uneasiness to my royal Sultan 
Misnar. At the sources of the springs of Ava, 
on the craggy rocks of Aboulfaken, is a royal castle 
built by the sage Illfakircki, to which there is no 

* Bleiu it forth. This may need explanation. In many 
parts of Asia the inhabitants use small poisoned arrows, 
which they blow frora a hollow cane upon their adversaries. 



THE ENCHANTERS. 99 

passage but through a narrow vale, which may be 
ever guarded by the slaves of Misnar. Hither let 
the prince be sent ; and let him live there, and en- 
joy life, without having any power to molest the 
glories of thy reign.' 

The counsel of Carnakan seemed agreeable unto 
the Sultan, for Misnar had not yet learned to in- 
quire into the justice of his own actions. He gave 
orders therefore that the mutes of his seraglio 
should attend the prince to the royal castle at Aboul- 
faken ; and then dismissing, for the present, the 
assembled sages, he commanded them every week 
to attend the divan. 

In a few days, the mutes and guards who were 
sent with the prince Ahubal, being admitted into 
the presence of their Sultan, fell on their faces, 
and cried out : 

' 0, let not the displeasure of the Sultan fall 
upon his slaves ! Thy slaves, in obedience to thy 
royal word, journeyed toward the castle of Aboul- 
faken, and as they passed along through the de- 
serts, a party of five thousand horse appeared, who, 
setting upon us, ordered us either to deliver up the 
prince Ahubal, or defend him with our lives. — Thy 
slaves would willingly have chosen the latter fate. 
Yet, alas ! what were four hundred guards and 
twenty mutes to the army that opposed us ? But 
our consultation was vain ; for while we debated 
how to defend ourselves, the prince drew his sabre, 
and killing three of our number, cut his way through 
the guards to his friends. The horsemen then 
would have set upon us, and hewed us in pieces ; 
but their chief forbade them, saying, ' No, let them 
live, and be the messengers of the prince's escape. 
— Go,' continued he, ' dastard slaves ! and let your 
Sultan know, that Ahubal has friends who will 
shortly punish him for his designs on the prince." 
H2 



100 TALES OP THE GENII. 

At these words of Ms guards, Misnar gave a 
deep sigh, and said : * he who seeks his safety by 
an unjust action, cannot hope for the assistance of 
Alia. 

' I shrunk from the sin of shedding my brother's 
blood, — yet I hesitated not to deprive him of liberty. 

' My schemes have been defeated, for human 
prudence alone is far too weak to fight against the 
wiles of the deceitful ; but Alia is more powerful 
than man ! I will therefore send for the prophets, 
and inquire of them where I may seek for the as- 
sistance of Mahomet.' 

The Sultan then commanded Zeuramaund and 
his tribe, and Mangelo the prophet, from the hollow 
rocks of Caxol, to be brought before him ; and when 
they were come into his presence, he demanded of 
them where he might seek for the assistance of 
Mahomet, and the countenance of Alia. 

Then Zeuramaund answered the Sultan in these 
words : ' In the tomb of the Prophet of Mecca is 
the signet of Mahomet, which no human power 
may remove : but if the Prophet will hear the 
prayer of the Sultan, it may easily be taken thence.' 

' Yes,' replied Mangelo, the prophet from the 
hollow rocks of Caxol, ' the seal of Mahomet will 
indeed preserve the prince from enchantment : but 
it is also necessary that he put on the girdle of 
Opakka, which is worn by the Giant Kifri, the 
sworn enemy of the eastern throne. For although 
the signet of Mahomet will preserve the Sultan 
from evil, yet will the girdle of Opakka only save 
him from deceit.' 

The Sultan Misnar was moved at the discourse 
of his prophets, and spent the night in thought and 
perplexity. He had little hope that the signet of 
Mahomet, which had for ages remained immoveable, 
should yield to him ; or that, with all his numerous 



THE ENCHANTERS. 10 1 

armies, he should he ahle to force the girdle of 
Opakka from the loins of an enchanter, who could 
in a moment overwhelm his troops hy the power 
of his art. However, he determined the next 
morning to go with his court a public pilgrimage 
to Mecca, and to offer up the most solemn petitions 
to the Prophet of his faith. 

Early in the morning, the Sultan arose from his 
seraglio, and commanded his courtiers to prepare 
the procession, as he intended immediately to make 
a public pilgrimage to Mecca. 

But as Misnar was making known his intentions, 
a messenger arrived in haste at the entrance of the 
seraglio, who brought advice that one of the southern 
kingdoms had revolted, and was led on by a sage 
heroine, who declared her intention of placing 
Ahubal, the brother of the Sultan, on the throne 
of India. 

Misnar was conscious that this revolt was brought 
about through the contrivances of the enchanters ; 
and therefore despaired of conquering them by 
means of his armies : but, lest the other kingdoms, 
seeing no troops were sent to repel the rebels, should 
also join the adverse party, the Sultan commanded 
the rough music of war to sound ; and sending for 
his grand vizier Horam in private, he ordered him 
to lead out the armies of Delhi against the rebels, 
and to despatch daily messengers to the capital, to 
bring advice of his success. 

The vizier Horam received the Sultan's com- 
mission with reverence, and said : — ' Let not my 
Sultan be angry at his slave. If my lord should 
require ten thousand messengers, his slave Horam 
would despatch them. But if my lord will accept 
of this tablet, he shall know in a moment the suc- 
cess of his servant, though numberless leagues 
were between us.' 



102 TALES OF THE GENII. 

£ What,' said Misnar, taking the tablet from his 
vizier, ' by what means is this tablet endued with 
these rare virtues V 

1 My lord/ answered Horam, c when my father, 
through the malice of his enemies, was banished 
from the presence of the mighty Dabulcombar, he 
called me to him, and said, ' Horam, the evil- 
minded have prevailed, and thy father is fallen a 
sacrifice to the enemies of truth 1 No more, my 
son, shall I behold the children of my strength, 
nor the splendour of my Sultan's court : whither 
I go, I know not ! But do you, my son, take this 
tablet ; and whatever befalleth thy parent shall at 
times be made known to you in the leaves of this 
book ; and to whomsoever thou givest it, that friend 
shall, after my death, read therein whatever Horam 
my son shall wish to make known unto him.' 

' Faithful Horam,' answered the Sultan, ' thy 
present is of such exquisite value, that thy prince 
shall, in confidence, honour thee with the first 
place in his esteem. — Know then, my faithful vizier, 
that the powers of enchantment are let loose against 
my throne, and the prophets have said : ' Thou 
shalt not prevail but with the signet of Mahomet, 
and the girdle of Opakka : ' therefore it is expedient 
that I first go to Mecca to obtain this valuable gift 
of the Prophet : my purpose, but this morning, was 
to go surrounded by the nobles of my court ; but 
while rebellion stalketh abroad, pageants are idle, 
and the parade of a Sultan's pilgrimage will give 
my enemies time to increase in their numbers and 
strength. No, Horam ; I myself will in secret 
approach the tomb of my Prophet, for Alia requireth 
the service of the heart, and searcheth out the 
purity of his servants' intentions : I shall go with 
greater humility as a peasant than as a prince. In 
the mean time, my royal tent shall be pitched, and 



THE ENCHANTEKS. IO3 

Horam only shall be suffered to approach it. So 
shall my slaves imagine their Sultan goeth forth 
with them to the field, and the hearts of my sub- 
jects shall be strengthened.' 

' Be the desires of the Sultan fulfilled/ said 
Horam, with reverence : ' but will not my lord take 
with him a guard in his pilgrimage ? for the dangers 
of the journey are great over the mountains and 
deserts, and the voyage by the seas is perilous.' 

' No,' answered the Sultan ; ' those who are my 
slaves here, may, at a distance, become my masters, 
and sell me to my foes : where the trust is great, 
great is the danger also. Shall I set guards over 
my person, in the heart of my kingdom, amidst my 
faithful subjects, and trust my life in a slave's hand, 
where I am neither known nor respected ? When 
the diamond lieth concealed in the mine, it is free 
and unmolested ; but when it shine th abroad on 
the earth, all covet its possession.' 

The vizier Horam was struck with the prudence 
of his youthful Sultan, and bowed in assent to the 
words of his lord. 

In a few days, the armies of India assembled ; 
the royal tent was pitched, and the vizier was de- 
clared the leader 'of his Sultan's forces. Misnar 
entered his tent in great state, and Horam alone 
followed the Sultan into the retirement of the 
moveable pavilion. 

The vizier had, according to the Sultan's in- 
structions, prepared a disguise for his master ; and 
at midnight led him, like a peasant, through the 
encampment into a wood ; where, falling at his feet, 
he besought him to consider well the dangers he 
was about to encounter. 

1 Horam,' answered the Sultan, ' I well know the 
goodness of thy heart, and that thy fears are the 
daughters of thy love. Sensible am I that the 



104 TALES OF THE GENII. 

dangers of my pilgrimage are great : but what re- 
source have I left ? More than man is risen up 
against me, and more than man must assist me, 
or I perish. To whom then can I fly, but to the 
Prophet of the Faithful ? For I am well assured 
that no enchantment shall prevail against me, 
while I journey towards Mecca: for such is the 
faith of all true believers ; though they may op- 
press and fatigue me, yet in the end shall I triumph. 
Besides, Horam, there is no resource.' 

1 True, my Sultan,' answered the vizier, ' without 
Alia, vain is the counsel of man ; but is not Alia 
everywhere present, to aid and defend the sons of 
the Faithful?' 

' Though Alia be all-powerful,' answered Misnar, 
6 yet is not the slave of his hand to direct the Lord 
of all things. If we would gain the help and as- 
sistance of Alia, we must obey his commands ; and 
well are we assured in the law of our Prophet, that 
at Mecca shall the prayer of the Faithful be heard. 
Wherefore, O Horam, no longer my slave, but my 
friend, lead forth my armies with confidence and 
trust, and doubt not but that He, who daily re- 
fresheth the sun with light, will shortly restore 
Misnar to the throne of his forefathers.' 

As he spake thus, the Sultan broke from his 
vizier Horam, who was fallen upon his master's 
feet, weeping at his fixed resolves ; and penetrated 
into the gloomy recesses of the forest. 

All was silence and darkness, save where, through 
broken fragments of fleeting clouds, the sultaness 
of night sometimes threw a feeble light on the 
horrors of the forest. 

' This gloomy recess,' said Misnar, as he passed 
on, < which hides me from the world, makes me 
better known to myself. In the court of my fore- 
fathers, I am called the Light of the World, the 



THE ENCHANTERS. 105 

Glory of the East, and the Eye of Day ; but, in 
the wild forests of Tarapajan, I am a poor help- 
less reptile, on whom the cedars drop unwholesome 
dews, and whose steps are hidden from the light of 
the moon by the branches of the palm. What 
then is the pride of man, but deceit ! and the glo- 
ries of the earth, but the shadows of illusion ! 
Surely more had I to fear from enchantment on 
the throne of Dabulcombar, than in the bosom of 
this forest. Here the wild beast will not natter 
me, nor will* the lordly lion acknowledge me Sultan 
of his wild domains. On what prop then must 
that weak tendril, man, entwine himself ; on what 
rock must the son of earth build his security? 
Thanks be to the faith delivered unto me from 
Mahomet, the holy prophet of Arabia ! in Alia 
shall be my trust, who ruleth over all the children 
of his hand, and is lord over the haunts of beasts, 
as well as the dwellings of mankind.' 

With such thoughts Misnar passed along for 
many days, till one night, at a distance, he per- 
ceived the skies looked red with light, and various 
fires ; and by the noise, which increased in his 
ears, found that some Indians were carousing in 
the woods before him. 

The disguised Sultan endeavoured to avoid them, 
striking into a path which led round their fires ; 
but some of the Indians observing him by the 
light of their fires, called to their brother peasant, 
and desired him to partake of their mirth. 

Misnar thought it would be vain to refuse the 
request, as they all seemed disposed to insist on 
their demands ; and therefore hastened to the scene 
of their festivity. 

Here he found ten or twelve fires, with a mixed 
number of males and females, some sitting and 
some dancing around them; the uncouth rustic 



106 TALES OF THE GENII. 

irnisie enlivened their dance, and the mask of care 
■was not on their faces. 

Misnar inquired the cause of their mirth. 

£ What ! ' said an ancient female, ' though you 
are a stranger in Tarapajan, and know not the feast 
of Tigers is celebrated by these nightly fires ; yet 
must you now learn, that no stranger comes but to 
partake of our joy, nor departs till the fires are 
extinct.' 

' And how long,' said Misnar, ' doth this feast 
last ? ' 

' This/ answered the old woman, * is the third 
night ; and these fires must blaze yet eleven nights 
and days more ; during which time the axe is not 
seen in the hand of the forester, nor doth the bow 
twang in the woods of Tarapajan ; neither may he 
which seeth these rites depart till they be fulfilled.' 

Misnar was thunderstruck at this relation ; and 
ere he could -answer, the crowd gathered around 
him. 

1 Come,' said he that appeared to be the chief, 
£ let us initiate this stranger in our rites ; bring 
hither the skin of the tiger, and the paw of the lion, 
and the lance, and the bow that twangs not in the 
woods of Tarapajan during these nightly festivals.' 

Then did one bring the skin of a tiger, and 
threw it over the shoulders of Misnar, and another 
came with the paw of a lion and hung it before 
him, and a third brought a lance, and put it in 
Misnar's right hand, and a fourth slung a bow on 
his breast. Then did all the crowd make a loud 
howling, and dance around the astonished Sultan. 

'Now,' said the chief, when the dance was 
finished, ' sound the hollow instruments of brass, 
which give notice to the moon and to the stars, 
that this stranger is about to swear not to reveal 
our rites. Lay thine hand on thy head,' said the 



THE ENCHANTERS. 107 

chief to the disguised Sultan, ' and put thy fingers 
on thy mouth, and say, — As the starless night is 
dark, as the cave of death is dark, so shall my 
thoughts and words continue in darkness concern- 
ing the festivals of tigers.' 

' And wherefore,' said Misnar, ' is this silence 
imposed ? and what shall befall him that sweareth 
not unto you ? Is not the mind of man free ? and 
who shall offend him who seeketh not to offend 
others ? ' 

6 Whosoever,' answered the chief, ' travelleth, 
should become obedient to the customs of those 
people among whom he tarrieth.' 

6 Eight,' continued Misnar, ' and I am willing, 
on two conditions, to fulfil your will : first, you 
shall all swear, that I be at liberty to pursue my 
journey on the eleventh day; and next, that I shall 
not be bound to perform aught contrary to the law 
of Mahomet.' 

' Stranger,' replied the chief, c when we are at 
liberty to depart, thou shalt depart likewise : but 
during this festival, which is held in honour of our 
noble ancestor, who remained fourteen days in this 
forest, till he had subdued a ravenous race of tigers, 
no man that is entered here may stir hence till the 
fires be extinguished ; for by the fire did our an- 
cestor drive away and destroy the tigers and beasts 
of the forests, and by fire do we commemorate his 
mighty deeds. Neither,' continued the chief, 'may 
we reveal these rites to any one but those who by 
accident espy them ; for slich as are present with ' 
us, we are bound to receive into our society : where- 
fore we compel those who come among us to keep 
in silence the knowledge of our rites.' 

' If such is your custom,' answered Misnar, e I 
shall willingly comply ; and swear to you, that, as 
the starless night is dark, as the cave of death is 



108 TALES OF THE GENII. 

dark, so shall niy words and thoughts continue in 
darkness concerning the festivals of tigers.' 

As he uttered these words, the whole assembly 
again danced around him, till the hollow brazen 
instruments were ordered to sound, and all the in- 
habitants of the forest were commanded to receive 
the disguised Sultan as their brother. 

Then the men, one by one, passed by Misnar, 
each as he passed laying the hand of the Sultan on 
his breast. After they were passed by, came the 
females also, who saluted their new brother. These 
Misnar suffered to pass on without much reflection, 
till among the youngest, who last approached, he 
was struck with one whose modest looks and re- 
tiring manners distinguished her from those who 
had just addressed him. When he was invited to 
join their repast, this fair maiden, whom they 
called Nouradin, was placed beside him. If the 
Sultan was charmed with this damsel's appearance, 
he was still more delighted with her conversation 
and sentiments. When they arose from their rus- 
tic feast, the chief informed Misnar that it was the 
custom of their tribe to celebrate at this festival of 
tigers the marriages of all the youths and maidens 
present, in honour of their great ancestor. • We 
are now,' added he, ' only waiting the decision of 
Nouradin, who having been courted hitherto in 
vain by our youths, is yet forced by our laws to 
make her choice of a partner on this her last day 
of deliberation. Since she has slighted those of 
her own tribe, we hope that her choice will fall 
on you ; our company will then be complete, and 
our joys unclouded.' 

Misnar, forgetting the great designs of his heart, 
his high purposes of virtuous enterprise and his 
crown, awaited the fair one's answer, and felt more 



THE ENCHANTERS. IO9 

fear at her silence than he had done at the en- 
chantments of his monstrous enemies. At length, 
with hesitating voice and downcast looks, Nouradin 
answered, ' May the joys of my companions he 
unclouded ! ' 

Misnar, in raptures at the fair Nouradin's pre- 
ference, took her by the hand and led her to the 
dance, while the hollow instruments of brass a 
third time sounded, to announce that the maiden's 
choice was decided. The dance being ended, as 
Misnar was leading Nouradin to a rustic seat, she 
asked him, with an anxious troubled look that went 
to his soul, whether in return for the heart and 
hand she was about to bestow on him, he, on his 
part, was prepared to make such a sacrifice to her 
as she should be obliged to demand. 

Misnar was chagrined at her words, though he 
knew not their full import, and his mind turned 
sorrowfully to the great achievements he had to 
perform. ' But,' said he, inwardly, ' to what pur- 
pose do I think of my people, my crown, and my 
pilgrimage, since I am detained here, probably for 
life, with a set of savage foresters, who acknow- 
ledge no law but their own will. Surely it is the 
part of wisdom to conform to the circumstances 
in which we are placed.' Then turning to the fair 
Nouradin, he said, '0 joy of life, few are the sa- 
crifices I could refuse to make for thy sake ; but 
shorten the moments of anxiety, and pour forth 
the words which tremble on thy lips.' 

6 Say then,' answered Nouradin, ' say, O thou, 
the first and only being whom Nouradin has ever 
loved, art thou prepared for her sake to take the 
oath which shall bind thee to her tribe, — to their 
fortunes, to their wanderings, to their homes, for 
ever, — or do we part by to-morrow's dawn, when 



110 TALES OF THE GENII. 

Misnar shall have assisted in the ceremonies which 
will, in that case, devote Nouradin to become the 
bride of another ? ' 

The unfortunate Sultan was confounded at the 
words of his fair companion, and his heart was 
sad within him. ' What ! ' said he, ' shall I give 
up the glories of my father's kingdom ? The 
claims of thousands on my power and influence 
I dare not slight. Shall I then basely betray the 
fair Nouradin's confidence, by concealing the des- 
tiny which awaits me ? No ' said he aloud, turn- 
ing to the lovely maiden, ' never let the man of 
integrity deceive the gentle heart that offers him 
happiness. Forgive me, all-beauteous Nouradin, 
but the volumes of my fate are open, and the 
Prophet of the Faithful will not permit me to 
indulge here the secret affections of my heart. 
Though the soul of Misnar will be torn and 
divided, yet must he depart with the expiring 
fires of your festival.' 

' Base, cold, and senseless wretch,' said the false 
Nouradin, as the beauteous vision faded from be- 
fore his eyes, and the enchantress Ulin resumed 
her own detestable form, ' call not thy frozen pur- 
pose virtue, but the proof of a hard and selfish 
mind, insensible to love and beauty. Not thy 
prudence, but my folly hath saved thee ! How- 
ever, what nature would permit I have obtained ; 
and though thou art escaped, puny animal as thou 
art ! from the power of my enchantments, yet 
shall the southern kingdoms of India feel my 
scourge. Proceed then, superstitious reptile, on 
thy tame pilgrimage to Mecca, while Horam feels 
the vengeance of my arm in the sultry deserts of 
Ahajah.' 

As she spake thus, she stretched out her wand ; 
and the fires and the foresters, and the enchantress 



THE ENCHANTERS. Ill 

Ulin, disappeared from the sight of the astonished 
Sultan. 

The Sultan immediately prostrated himself on 
the ground, and gave glory to Mahomet for his 
wonderful escape ; and, pursuing his journey, con- 
tinued his course for two moons through the wide- 
extended forest of Tarapajan. 

During this time he daily examined the tablets 
which the vizier Horam had given him ; but was 
very uneasy at finding the leaves always fair. 
' Alas ! ' said he to himself,. ' I have trusted to 
a base man, who perhaps has taken this advan- 
tage of my credulity, and intends to set the crown 
of India on my brother's head ! There needed 
not the powers of enchantment to overthrow me, 
since I have betrayed at once my folly and my 
cause.' 

Misnar, therefore, resolved to travel back to 
Delhi, and learn the cause of Horam's silence ; 
but, however, as he neglected not to look on the 
tablets every day, he at length, as he was examin- 
ing them under a palm-tree, found the following 
inscription therein : 

' Horam, the faithful Slave of the Sultan of the 
East, to Misnar, the Lord of his Heart. 

' Some time after I left my royal Sultan in the 
forest, while my heart was sad within my breast, 
and my eyelids were heavy with the tears of sepa- 
ration, came a hasty messenger from the outskirts 
of the rebel army, and declared their approach ; 
and that the southern provinces had revolted, and 
were added to the opposers of the Sultan of the 
earth. When thy slave was certain of this intelli- 
gence from the mouths of many, who hastened to 
the camp with these bad tidings, I commanded the 
armies of India to be increased, and a more exact 
discipline to be observed in my master's camp, and 



112 TALES OF THE GENII. 

perceiving that the enemy hastened to meet my 
Sultan's forces, I shortened the march of my 
slaves, that the fatigues of the deserts might not 
prevail more against them than the face and the 
sword of their enemies. Moreover, I led thy 
troops through the most cultivated countries, that 
the necessaries of life might be procured for the 
multitudes that followed thy tent with the greater 
ease. But, alas ! the presence of my lord is not 
with his people, and the army murmur that they 
are led by a Sultan who cheers not their labours 
by the light of his person; so that the hearts of 
thy people are withdrawn from Horam thy slave, 
and the captains of thousands demand admittance 
to thy tent, and accuse thy vizier with evil devices 
against thee, my lord, the Sultan.' 

As the Sultan read this intelligence in the 
tablet of Horam, his heart failed within him, and 
the sight of his eyes was as a mist before him. 

' O Misnar, Misnar ! ' said he, falling to the 
ground, 'the fiend of darkness is let loose upon 
thee ! and the powers of enchantment will prevail!' 
— 'Yes,' said Ulin, the enchantress, who imme- 
diately appeared, * the powers of enchantment 
shall prevail ! Misnar, the faithful servant of Ma- 
homet, hath at length yielded to my power, and 
Alia hath given to my vengeance the wretch that 
doubts his protection. — Crawl, therefore,' continued 
she, ' vile reptile, on the earth, and become a toad, 
that sucketh the poisonous vapour, and that draweth 
from the sunbeam a venomous fire.' 

At the powerful voice of her enchantment, the 
Sultan shrunk from his native figure, and became 
a reptile on the earth. He opened his pestiferous 
jaws, and the black venom fell from his tongue, 
and he trailed his broad yellow speckled belly in 
the dust. His change of form did not take from 



THE ENCHANTERS. 113 

Misnar his memory or recollection ; lie was sensi- 
ble of his disgrace, and of the justness of his sen- 
tence ; and though he could not fly from himself, 
yet he hastened into the thicket, that he might hide 
his filthy corse from the light of heaven. But 
the hungry calls of nature soon drove him from 
his recess, to seek his proper food in the desert. 

He crawled forth, and found himself led on by 
a scent that pleased him ; his spirits seemed en- 
livened by the sweet odour, and his cold feeble 
limbs were endued with a brisker motion. 

' Surely,' said he, in his heart, ' the bounteous 
Alia hath not left the meanest of his creatures 
without comfort and joy. The smell is as the 
smell of roses, and life and vigour are in these 
attractive paths.' 

With these thoughts he crawled forward into 
the thickest covert ; and though his body was drawn 
with a secret impulse, yet his mind was filled with 
horror when he came in sight of a mangled and 
corrupted body, which lay hid among the bushes. 
One of his own deformed kind sat squatting beside 
it ; and, like himself, seemed to desire, and yet 
detest the loathsome feast. 

' Misnar, at the sight of one of his hideous kind, 
was filled with scorn and rage ; and forgetting his 
present transformation, was about to drive him 
from the mangled body : when the reptile, open- 
ing his mouth, addressed him in the language of 
Delhi. 

' Whether thou art really what thy form bespeaks 
thee,' said the reptile, ' or, like me, the victim of 
enchantment, answer?' 

The Sultan, surprised at this address, and per- 
ceiving that misery was not his portion alone, de- 
sired to know by what means his fellow-creature 
suffered such a wretched change. 
I 



1 14 TALES OF THE GENII. 

' Since I perceive by your speech,' said the 
reptile, ' that one event has happened to us both, 
I shall not be averse to declare to you the cause 
of my transformation ; but I shall expect that my 
confidence will not be misplaced, and that after I 
have made you acquainted with my history, you 
will not refuse to reveal your own.' 

'A similitude in our fates,' replied Misnar, 'has 
already made us brethren ; and I should be un- 
reasonable to ask a favour I meant not to return.' 

•' Well then,' said he, ' we will depart from this 
wretched sight into a different thicket, where we 
may unmolested bewail our uncommon fates : for 
although the enchantress Ulin, to disgrace our 
former natures, and to make us the more sensible 
of present deformity, obliges us, by a miserable 
attraction, to meet daily before this horrid spec- 
tacle, yet our food is of the fruits of the earth : 
for the wicked enchantress has not the power to 
make us, even in this deformed habit, to do that 
which is contrary to our human nature.' 

As he was speaking, another toad came up to 
the corse — ' Here,' continued the first, ' is another 
of our brethren ; and another will soon be here : 
we were three before you came among us. — Where, 
princess, is the last victim of Ulin's rage?" said 
he to the second. 

' He was basking,' answered the second, ' in 
the sand ; but I aroused him, and he is now on 
his way.' 

In a few minutes the third arrived ; and as soon 
as he beheld the mangled body, the attraction 
ceased ; when, the first leading the way, they de- 
parted into another thicket. 

1 Here,' said the first, * O stranger, we may rest 
securely ; and the serpent cannot annoy us, for 



THE ENCHANTERS. II5 

we are seated under the shade of the fragrant 
cinnamon.' 

' We are obliged to you for your care of us,' 
said Misnar ; ' but I am eager to hear the cause of 
your transformation.' 



THE HISTOEY OF MAHOUD. 

I am (replied the toad) the son of a jeweller in 
Delhi, and my name is Mahoud : my father, after 
a life of industry and parsimony, finding himself 
declining, sent for me, and on his death-bed said, 
1 Mahoud, my days have been the days of care, 
but success hath attended them : I have toiled, that 
thou mayest reap ; sown, that thou mayest gather ; 
and laboured, that my son may enjoy the fruits of 
my industry. My peace and comfort have been 
sacrificed to thine ; and now do I die, assured that 
my beloved Mahoud will not be pinched by 
poverty,* or oppressed by penury and want. Happy 
are those prudent parents, who, like me, can smile 
at death, and leave their offspring independent of 
the world ! ' 

Thus said my aged father, and expired ; and my 
tears accompanied his departing spirit : but these 
soon gave place to that ardent curiosity which 
drove me to explore those riches he had left me. 

I opened box after box with a silent rapture, 
and was pleased to find wealth sufficient to satisfy- 
even the appetite of youth ; many diamonds ap- 
peared among my father's wealth, which never could 
have passed the royal sieve,* and many others of 

* The Mogul is paid, byway of duty, all jewels which are 
found in the mines too large to pass through a sieve of a 
particular size. 

12 



Il6 TALES OF THE GENII. 

infinite value, besides large quantities of gold and 
silver; so that, in my youthful judgment, there 
appeared no end to my riches. 

It was not wonderful, that, being so suddenly 
put in possession of these riches, I should seek 
every pleasure and diversion which wealth could 
purchase. All who were the companions of my 
childhood, all who would court an inexperienced 
heart, were admitted to my table ; and the strict 
laws of Mahomet were less regarded at my house, 
than the rich wines which sparkled at my feasts. 

Thus passed I my life, among those who jest 
with religion, and make their mock at the rules 
of prudence and sobriety. But the time soon 
came when my hours of revelry were to be changed 
for those of sorrow, and when I was first to learn 
that a father's prudence will not secure a wicked 
son from the shafts and arrows of bitterness and 
grief. 

My possessions, though ample, were nearly ex- 
hausted by ignorance and extortion : my jewels 
were gone ; unacquainted with their value, I had 
rather flung them away than sold them : my silver 
and gold were become the property of my Mends, 
who, when I applied to them in return, were much 
more assiduous, if possible, in preserving it from 
me, than I had been in squandering it on them ; 
so that, in a few days, even the merchants who had 
been such gainers by me came now to demand some 
trifling sums that I had borrowed of them ; and, 
being unable to pay them, they seized my furniture, 
and stripped me of my clothes, to satisfy their cruel 
demands. 

In this situation, I was turned out of my own 
doors by those whom I had received a thousand 
times in my arms, and spurned at, like a dog, by 
those whom I pressed to my bosom. 



THE ENCHANTERS. II7 

Stung by reflections on my former follies, and 
ignorant where to fly for shelter, I covered myself 
with some few rags that had been cast to me, and 
sat down before the house of a rich young man, 
who, like myself, seemed to be squandering his 
wealth on the scum of the earth. 

Bennaskar (for that was his name) soon came 
forth, with his minstrels and singers at his heels, 
and seeing a miserable figure before his doors, he 
asked what I wanted. I told him, that once, like 
himself, I gave life to the dance, and mirth to my 
friends ; but that want of caution had been the 
cause of my ruin, and too much confidence in 
those who least deserved my favour. 

Several of his friends, hearing this, would have 
driven me from his presence, saying it was unfit 
such a wretch should even enjoy the blessings of 
the air ; but Bennaskar would not suffer it, and 
asked me whether the insincerity of my friends 
had taught me to be sincere to others ? I answered 
him, that I had ever been sincere, even to those 
who were undeserving, and that I had rather die 
than betray my friend. 

' If what you say is true,' said Bennaskar, ' I will 
try you : go in, and my servants shall clothe you, 
and you shall live with me ; I only ask in return, 
that you never disclose to any one what you hear 
or see transacted in my house.' 

• Sir,' answered I, ' your offer is gracious, and 
bespeaks your generous intentions ; but I do not 
choose to live on another's bounty, unless I can 
make myself useful.' 

' That,' answered Bennaskar, ' you may do, if I 
find I can trust you : I have long been in search of 
one I could trust ; I want such an one, but cannot 
find him.' 

The friends of Bennaskar then surrounded their 



Il8 TALES OF THE GENII. 

lord, and each confusedly offered his services to 
him. 

' No,' said the young man, ' though I appear un- 
thoughtful in your eyes, servile race of flat- 
terers ! yet know, to all your confusions, that I 
have tried you all, and find you trifling and in- 
sincere : this man alone refuses my proffered love, 
unless he can return it ; and this man alone is 
worthy of my esteem.' 

The friends of Bennaskar were thunderstruck 
at his words, and renewed their protestations : but 
he commanded his servants to drive them from his 
house ; and, taking me by the hand, he led me 
into an inner, but sumptuous apartment. 

As soon as we arrived there, I prostrated myself 
at his feet, and said, ' Let not my lord be angry with 
his servant ; but thou hast not told me what ser- 
vice thou wilt expect from me.' 

' All that I require,' answered Bennaskar, ' is, 
that you disclose not to any one what you hear or 
see transacted in my house.' 

6 My lord,' answered I, ' of what service can I be 
to you by such a compliance ? If I am silent, thy 
slaves may speak, and I shall be blamed for their 
insincerity. I pray thee, let me return to my rags, 
and set me not in a place where thy vassals will be 
tempted to ruin me in thy favour.' 

' Your answer,' said Bennaskar, ' is the answer 
of a prudent man : but fear not ; I cannot do 
without you, and I hope you will not refuse my 
proffered love. What you will see, none will see 
besides you ; therefore none but yourself will be 
unfaithful to me.' 

On this assurance, I accepted the bounteous offer 
of Bennaskar ; and the slaves led me to the bath, 
and I washed, and was perfumed and arrayed in a 
vestment of my lord's. 



THE ENCHANTERS. II9 

Bennaskar was impatient to see me ; and as I 
was led into his presence, the young man hastened 
to meet me, and folding me in his arms, he said, 
* May I at length meet a friend I can trust ? ' And 
I answered, ' May Mahoud he the friend of thy 
hosom ! ' I spent some time with the agreeable 
Bennaskar : every day we varied our enjoyments, 
and were mutually satisfied with each other. 

I had now been with my friend eighteen days, 
and no interruption was given to our friendship ; 
when, on the nineteenth morning, Bennaskar ap- 
peared with a clouded visage. 

' What,' said I, ' my lord, is the cause of your 
grief? Shall not Mahoud share alike with you 
the smiles and the frowns of Alia ? ' 
. ' Is it not,' said Bennaskar, ' O Mahoud, the full 
of the moon? ' — ' It is,' replied I, with a smile ; 
' but doth Bennaskar intend to change with that 
fluctuating planet ? ' 

' Mahoud,' said Bannaskar, ' the fate of thy 
friend is dependent on the caprice of the stars ; to- 
night must I put thy utmost friendship to the 
trial ! If Mahoud prove insincere, then is Ben- 
naskar cursed among men. If thy heart is not 
firm now, while there is time, depart. But why 
should I doubt thee ? surely Mahoud is of the 
sons of the Faithful. What must I say? Leave 
me, Mahoud, leave me : Nay, if thou departest, 
where shall I find thy fellow ? and the presence of 
a friend is necessary to my quiet.' 

' Then,' answered I, ' fear not, Bennaskar : Ma- 
houd may be unhappy, but he cannot be unjust. — 
But what is this dreadful trial that thus obliges 
Bennaskar to suspect his friend ? ' 

* True,' said Bennaskar, ' Mahoud is undeserving 
of suspicion ; let us wait till the sun sink from the 



120 TALES OF THE GENII. 

skies, and the stars return with their glimmering 
light.' 

Bennaskar then proceeded to the hath, and ar- 
rayed himself m a costly rohe, and desired me to 
do the same. I obeyed my Mend ; and we met in 
the saloon together. 

1 Alas ! ' said Bennaskar, as we met, ' how can I 
request my Mend to wear the image of deformity?' 

' What image of deformity,' said I, ' must Ma- 
houd wear ? All appearances are to Mahoud alike ; 
and the severer the trial, the more shall I command 
thy Mendship.' 

' Then,' said Bennaskar, pulling out a pot of 
black ointment, ' thou must suffer me to disguise 
thy face with this ointment ; Mahoud to-night must 
personate a black slave.' 

' Is such a trifle,' said I, ' the test of friendship ? 
Give me the ointment, and furnish me with the 
habit of a slave.' 

' The habit,' answered Bennaskar, ' is ready, and 
all is ready; but you must not as yet disguise your- 
self, lest my slaves observe us. Come, let us for 
the present enjoy ourselves ; and when night ap- 
proaches, Bennaskar will rely on the Mendship of 
Mahoud.' 

The slaves then brought us the costly viands of 
Delhi ; but Bennaskar remained pensive, and seemed 
not to relish the dainties before him. 

I endeavoured all I could to divert his melan- 
choly : I smiled, I sang before him ; the dancers 
were introduced, and the music attempted to dissi- 
pate his gloom ; but Bennaskar still remained mute, 
and his thoughts could not be recalled by the en- 
tertainment of his slaves. The music continued 
till night ; when Bennaskar commanded the slaves 
to withdraw, and taking a lamp in his hand, he led 
me through a long variety of apartments. 



THE ENCHANTERS. 121 

' Mahoud,' said he, as lie went along, ' has never 
yet seen the wonders of my palace.' 

' Mahoud,' answered I, ' is happy, my lord, to see 
the wealth of his friend ; but he is not inquisitive 
to explore, unbidden, the secrets of another.' 

As I said this, we arrived at a small vaulted 
room, from the centre of which hung a lamp, which 
Bennaskar trimmed, and put out that which he 
held in his hand. 

' Now,' said he, ' Mahoud, enter that closet which 
is opposite us, and put on the slave's dress which 
you will find there, and anoint thy face and thy 
hands with this black ointment.' 

I immediately obeyed Bennaskar, and in a short 
time I came forth arrayed like a slave. 

' Kind Mahoud,' said Bennaskar, ' thou art ex- 
cellently disguised ; now obey with silence, and 
stand as a mute before his lord.' 

I folded my arms, and nodded assent ; at which 
Bennaskar smiled. 

' Take hold, Mahoud,' said he, ' of that ring of 
iron, which is fastened by a secret spring to the 
middle of the floor, and pull.' 

I obeyed, and a little trap-door came up. I 
looked down, and perceived a woman in rich vest- 
ments, half buried in the earth. I shuddered at 
the sight, and was falling backward; when Ben- 
naskar struck me with a chabouc,* which he drew 
from his bosom, and said, — ' Villain, if thou fail 
me, I shall use thee as my slave.' 

Although I was enraged at the blow, yet I re- 
membered my promise, and returned to the trap- 
door. 

' Slave,' said Bennaskar, < dig that female out of 
the ground : the spade and the mattock are hidden 

* A chabouc is a large whip. 



122 TALES OF THE GENII. 

under the floor.' I imm ediately jumped down, and 
found the tools, and began to work ; but neither 
my fear nor my labour could prevent my fixing my 
eyes on the lovely female, who seemed as one dead. 
As soon as I had removed the earth from the fe- 
male, which I did with great care, Bennaskar com- 
manded me to lift the body into the apartment, 
gave me a phial of clear blue liquor, and ordered 
me to pour it into her mouth, whilst he retired 
into the closet. I willingly obeyed Bennaskar, and 
hastened to pour down the liquor, while Bennaskar 
retired. As soon as the liquor was down, the lovely 
female began to move, and in a short time she 
opened her languishing eyes, and casting them 
upon me she shrieked out, and clapping her hands 
together, she cried, — ' Alia, defend me ! ' 

Bennaskar at the same time spoke as follows, 
from the closet where he was concealed : — 

' Hemjunah,' said he, 'are you as yet disposed to 
become the wife of Bennaskar, or must we still 
experience the evils of opposite enchantments ? 
For remember, that though the powerful Macoma 
is thy friend, yet the enchantress Ulin still subjects 
thee to her will.' 

' Wretch,' answered the fair stranger, * I fear not 
the powers of your accursed magic ; for Macoma 
has assured me that you shall never be able to 
overcome me without my own consent ; and Ma- 
homet, though for a time he permits this enchant- 
ment, will at length assuredly deliver me.' 

' Then,' answered Bennaskar, ' must the lash of 
compulsion issue forth. — Here,' continued he, ' slave 
Mahoud, inflict fifty lashes on that obdurate female.' 

I took the chaboue from Bennaskar, and began 
with trembling, my ill-fated task ; cursing inwardly 
my own blind compliance, in promising to obey a 
monster, and not a friend. As the lash touched 



THE ENCHANTERS. 1 23 

the beauteous Hemjunah, she made the vaulted 
roof re-echo with her cries ; nor did my heart feel 
less sensibly the strokes which I gave than her 
own ; the tears trickled down my cheeks, and I 
prayed inwardly to be delivered from the cursed 
task, and was never more happy than when it was 
completed. 

' What,' said Bennaskar, from the closet, ' what 
now saith Hemjunah ?' 

' The hard-hearted and the cruel,' said Hemjunah, 
faintly, x are the last to win the soft affections of a 
female heart : rather let me die, than be the wife 
of the vile Bennaskar.' 

' If so,' said he, coming from the closet, ' die : 
for the present I resign my power ; let Macoma 
hide thee again in the dust of the earth.' 

Bennaskar did no sooner appear than the beau- 
tiful Hemjunah again seemed to die away; and 
immediately a hissing noise was heard, and an ugly 
dwarf arose from the trap-door, and took the body 
of Hemjunah, replacing it in the earth ; and the 
trap-door was closed with a roaring noise. Ben- 
naskar then beckoned me to follow him ; and he 
led me to the bath, and bade me wash, and after 
return to the saloon in my proper vestments. 

I was so surprised at the wonders which I had 
seen, that I hardly knew what I did. However, in 
the bath I had time to recollect myself: but re- 
collection was of little service, for reflection rather 
increased than cleared my confusion. One moment 
I resolved to apply to the cadi, and declare every 
circumstance of the horrid adventure. The next, 
I was awed by the thoughts of my rash and im- 
prudent vows of secrecy. — * Bennaskar,' said I, 
' has for a month appeared as an angel before me : 
but one base action has deformed all his former 
purity. How can I reconcile these inconsistencies ? 



124 TALES OF THE GENII. 

Can he, who is the tenderest, the best of friends, 
be also the vilest and most cruel of mankind ? Is 
there not enchantment employed against him, and 
may not this phantom be employed to destroy him ? 
— What,' said I again, recollecting myself, ' can 
aught excuse such horrid barbarity, exercised upon 
the most amiable of her sex ? What cruelties have 
I not seen ; nay, and been forced, through my own 
imprudence, to transact ! How did my heart bleed 
within me at her piercing cries ! how did it curse 
the hands which were the base ministers of such 
unmanly cruelty ! I have been accessary to the 
torture of a most beautiful female : one too, who 
called on the perfect Alia to deliver her. I have 
been the instrument of a mean revenge on a help- 
less woman ; and now I yet delay to inform the 
cadi of the villanies of this house of enchantment.' 
I resolved immediately to repair to the cadi, and 
give him a full information of the sorceries of 
Bennaskar. I hastened out of the bath, threw 
my vestments over me, and advanced to the door. 
— ' But,' said I, as I went along, ' what am I 
about to do ? I shall forfeit my faith, without 
serving the distressed: Bennaskar expects me in 
the saloon ; and when he finds that I am gone 
forth, he will, by the power of his art, secrete the 
beautiful female from the eyes of the cadi. I 
have been the guest of Bennaskar a month, and 
never, till this day, did I perceive the rooms 
through which I was led to that detestable act of 
cruelty: nay Bennaskar himself was obliged to 
wait ; he was impatient till the full of the moon, 
and oppressed with sorrow and care when it arose. 
I will therefore, for the present, return to Bennas- 
kar, and will put on the face of cheerfulness, and 
make my countenance to shine before him.' 



THE ENCHANTERS. 125 

Bennaskar met me on my return. c Whence 
cometh Mahoud ? ' said he. 

' I am just,' answered I, ' risen from the bath ; 
and I come to meet my friend Bennaskar.' 

' Mahoud/ answered Bennaskar, ' art thou faith- 
ful, and wilt thou ever remain faithful to thy 
friend ? But why should I doubt thee, let thy 
bosom receive the secrets of Bennaskar. In the 
success of his friend shall Mahoud one day rejoice. 
Dost thou not yet know enough of thine own 
heart, Mahoud, and of the hearts of other 
men, to perceive that one unattained desire poisons 
the whole course of a happy life ? Bennaskar has 
wealth and youth and health — all that men most 
anxiously wish for ; but Bennaskar would be great 
also, and the path to greatness also has opened 
before him. Know then, that my father's death 
obliged me to go to the city of Cassimir, in order 
to reclaim a portion of his wealth detained by the 
merchants there. While in that city I heard — as 
who had not heard? — of the charms and vast 
possessions of the Princess of Cassimir, sole 
heiress of the royal house. I learned also that 
an ancient oracle had declared at her birth, that a 
stranger should obtain the hand of this princess, 
and that, be he high or be he lowly born, he would 
become a greater and a wealthier man than either 
her father or his own, provided he married her 
with her own consent. Thus spoke the oracle ; 
and a thought of pride crossed my bosom, Ma- 
houd ! that I must be that stranger. It came 
indeed as an idle dream, but I detained it in my 
mind till it gained possession of my soul. I re- 
turned to my native city, and to the enjoyment of 
luxury and pleasure, but in vain; the thought 
which had strayed into a vacant mind found kin- 



126 TALES OF THE GENII. 

dred thoughts there, and now held it captive. It 
was not so much the beauty, or accomplishments, 
or virtues of the princess which men so talked of 
that chiefly engrossed me, but the desire of that 
greatness which awaited the man who should ob- 
tain her. The oracle had declared my birth no 
obstacle, and I was a stranger, one of its condi- 
tions. 

' I made another journey to Cassimir, to consult 
a sage of high repute in the neighbourhood of 
that city with respect to the steps I should take 
for the advancement of my views. The fame of 
Orasis brought numbers every year to his se- 
questered grotto, and on a day appointed he re- 
ceived me, and heard my wishes. 

' ' I can do little to promote your views, aspiring 
youth ! ' said he, ' but thus far I can tell you, that 
the princess of Cassimir is under the especial 
protection of the powerful genius Macoma, and 
that it is understood she will never give her hand 
to one whom her guardian shall disapprove. I 
may also tell you that the favour of Macoma is 
only to be purchased by a long course of self- 
denying virtue.' 

' The words of Orasis were displeasing to my 
ear, — ' I came here. O sage,' said I, ' to obtain the 
means of gratifying my desires not of denying 
them ; yet name the penance Macoma would in- 
flict on the favoured suitors of her princess, and 
I am ready to perform it, whether by chewing 
ashes, and crawling on the earth, like Boodel, 
or suspending myself by the forefinger to a tree, 
as yonder Fakir.' 

" Voluntary suffering, Bennaskar, is not self- 
denial,' replied the sage. ' Go home, young man, 
and suspend your high pretensions. To do jus- 
tice, to* show mercy, to be temperate in your 



THE ENCHANTERS. 127 

pleasures, and upright in all your actions, will 
require that very self-denial which Macoma seeks 
in her votaries. Five years so spent will give 
you a claim to be enrolled on her tablets ; and 
then (if you still desire it), you may, as one of 
her suitors, approach the princess of Cassimir.' 

' The words of the sage fell heavy on my ear. 
I turned from him in disgust, and as I returned 
to the path which led towards the city r I cursed 
loudly the stern Macoma, with her cold and hard 
precepts. My words attracted the attention of 
a person whose approach I had not noticed. 

' ' Stranger,' he said, ' you have been seeking a 
proud and churlish mistress ; I will direct you 
to one no less powerful and far more compas- 
sionate to the weaknesses of us poor mortals.' 

' To shorten my story, Mahoud, the stran- 
ger on hearing my views advised me to go back 
to Cassimir, and await there the commands 
of the great enchantress Ulin, with whom he 
promised to intercede forthwith in my behalf, if 
I would authorize him to pledge me to unquali- 
fied obedience. I gave him my signet as a token, 
and betook myself to the house I had hired at 
Cassimir. Many days I spent about the pre- 
cincts of the royal palace, — now reproaching my- 
self for the time I was losing, now complaining 
of the faithless stranger. 

'As I was returning home one evening, very 
despondingly, I heard a person calling me by 
name, and looking behind me, I saw a female 
dressed in a dark mantle, with a veil over her 
face. ' Bennaskar,' said she, ' follow me.' I felt 
an undefined hope that this woman might be the 
appointed agent of my enchantress ; gathering up 
my garments, therefore, I followed her through 
several streets. At length she stopped at the 



128 TALES OF THE GENII. 

door of a large house, and just as I was expect- 
ing that it would open to her, she sunk into the 
earth and disappeared. I waited at the door till 
night was far advanced, hoping every moment to 
see it open, or at least to behold the mysterious 
female again, hut she came not, and after several 
hours' expectation, I returned home full of vexa- 
tion and disappointment. 

' The next morning I arose early and went into 
the street, where I immediately beheld the same 
female beckoning to me: I hesitated not a mo- 
ment to follow her. — ' She is certainly,' said I to 
myself, ' possessed of supernatural powers ; and, 
as she has taken notice of me, I will show my- 
self obedient to her commands.' She led me 
again by the same way to the house before which 
I had spent the greater part of the preceding 
day; and, as soon as we arrived there, sunk 
again into the ground. Though I was heartily 
vexed at this second illusion, yet I resolved to 
stay on the spot till night and the city guard 
made my stay impossible. But night came with- 
out satisfying my curiosity : I returned again to 
my lodgings, and knew no more than at first the 
meaning of the female's appearance. 

'The third day, I proceeded as usual to my 
house, and as I was about to unlock it, I saw the 
female again in the market-place, beckoning to 
me as before. As I had now entered into her 
service, so I resolved to continue in it ; and 
therefore went behind her to the house, which I 
remembered well, having contemplated its front 
two days successively. The female stopped, as 
before, at the entrance of the house, and sunk a 
third time into the earth. 

' But I will not tire your patience, Mahoud, with 
a minute relation of my fatigues : for eleven 



THE ENCHANTERS. 129 

days successively was I thus deceived ; and on 
the twelfth, as I was standing in my usual place, 
several slaves issued out with chahoucs, saying 
that I was a thief, and had for some time "been 
lurking about and examining the house. Though 
I assured them that I was a merchant, I did not 
find the chabouc come the slower on my back ; 
wherefore, supposing it was vain to resist, I ran 
as fast as I could from them ; and as fear and 
pain are excellent remedies against sloth, so I 
found I had soon left the slaves behind me. 

* Having entered my lodging, I began to lament 
my fate, and the cruelty of her who had so often 
deceived me : — but in the midst of my lamentations, 
I felt the room shake, and in an instant saw the 
female rise through the floor, and stand before me. 

' ' Bennaskar,' said she, ' I am Ulin, the friend of 
the distressed, and the helper of all those who will 
put their trust and confidence in my enchantments : 
I have long watched your motions, and know your 
thoughts ; and, willing to try your faith in the 
magic art, I have thus often deceived you. Alia 
requires a reasonable worship from his votaries : 
but we, who love to contradict him in all things, 
expect in our dependents a blind and obsequious 
obedience.' 

1 ' Princess, or Genius, or whatever thou art,' 
answered I, ' fulfil my desires, and my life shall be 
spent as you direct.' 

' 1 was then proceeding to relate my story — she 
interrupted me. ' I know your wishes, and am 
here to aid you. My first purpose is to endue you 
with power to rescue the Princess of Cassimir from 
an alliance with the Prince of Georgia, which is 
so odious to her, that you will have a fair chance of 
succeeding with her under the character of her 
deliverer. If this fail, Ulin has other means.' 
K 



130 TALES OF THE GENII. 

' She then declared to me what she expected in 
return for the favours she conferred — it included 
the surrender of reason and will to her sway — yet 
I swore myself her willing slave. 

' ' If I find you faithful,' said Ulin, ' you shall, 
ere to-morrow's sun, depart hence, and the princess 
shall be at your disposal. One of my creatures 
shall personate a deliverer of Hemjunah from the 
Prince of Georgia ; her own rash precipitancy will 
aid the plot : she will be conveyed to your mansion 
at Delhi, thenceforth you personate her deliverer, 
and either by fair means or foul, you shall obtain 
her hand.' 

' * With her own consent ? ' said I : £ remember, 

Ulin, the words of the oracle.' 

' ' Terror shall give consent if gratitude win it 
not,' said the Enchantress, with an imperious look, 
and clapping her hands, a tall black slave arose 
through the floor, raised me in his arms, and in a 
few moments placed me in the saloon of my own 
mansion at Delhi. My story draws to an end : 
Hemjunah, the haughty Hemjunah, rejected my 
suit, and even spurned my good offices. You have 
witnessed her punishment, Mahoud, or rather the 
means used by the power of Ulin to obtain her 
consent. I do not despair, since I know that she 
offended her Guardian Macoma, my bitter enemy, 
ere she fell into the power of Ulin ; and without 
Macoma 5 s support, her constancy will never con- 
tinue to sustain her under so severe a chastisement.' 

1 And now,' concluded Bennaskar, 'you have my 
confidence. A well-tried friend is Bennaskar's joy; 
but remember,' he added with a terrible frown, ' that 
woes and death are in the path of his enemies.' 
So saying, he left me, and I retired to my chamber, 
irresolute in my mind. As I entered my chamber, 

1 perceived a small book open on a desk before the 



THE ENCHANTERS. 131 

burning lamps. I went up to it, and found it was 
the Koran of our holy law. Being little desirous 
of sleep, I sat down ; and as I read, methought I 
saw the name of Mahoud in the book. Startled at 
the vision, I looked again, and read distinctly these 
words : — 

' Mahoud ! Mahoud ! Mahoud ! There is much 
good in the world, but there is more evil ; the 
good is the gift of Alia, but the evil is the choice 
of his creatures. Because of man's sin, and be- 
cause of the darkness of his heart, do the evil 
Genii and the enchantments of wickedness prevail.' 
Even now is Mahoud in the house of a magician, 
to whom he is imprudently bound by the ties of 
honour : to draw back, is meanness ; but to per- 
sist, is sin. When men act wrong, they subject 
themselves to the power of a wicked race ; and 
we, who are the guardians of mortality, cannot in- 
terpose but in proportion to their remorse. Taken 
by the crafty dissimulation of Bennaskar, thy easy 
soul gave into his snares, and thy prudence was 
decoyed by the voice of his mouth. Thou hast 
promised, at all events, not to reveal the secrets of 
his house ; and thou hast, unknowingly, joined 
thyself in the fellowship of the wicked. But can 
man, who is bound to the service of Alia by an 
unalterable law, dispose of himself against the will 
of his Maker ? or can the worm of the earth, the 
property of Heaven, set up itself against the hand 
that formed it ? Had Mahoud engaged to conceal 
every thing but what the law of Mahomet obliged 
him to reveal, he had behaved wisely : but he who 
walketh in darkness will undoubtedly fall into the 
pit. Past errors cannot be recalled ; and Mahoud 
must learn the wisdom of experience. Under the 
resemblance of the Koran, behold the Genius Ma- 
coma instructs thine heart. I perceive evil will 
K2 



132 TALES OF THE GENII. 

attend thee, if thou dost attempt the enlargement 
of the Princess of Cassimir ; and yet without it, 
thou must still continue the servant of cruelty and 
oppression. Choose, therefore, for yourself: if 
injured innocence can move thee, coldly suffer in 
the cause of truth, and take this book in thy bosom, 
which shall at all times admit thee to a sight of the 
princess ; if not, be still the slave of the enemy of 
thy Prophet.' 

After this, I looked again on the book, but found 
I could read no more : however, I doubted not to 
engage in the service of the princess ; and there- 
fore, taking the book in my bosom, and the lamp 
in my hand, I went toward the saloon, supposing 
that Bennaskar was asleep. I searched for the 
rooms through which I had passed before, and soon 
perceived the vaulted apartment at the end of them. 

I hastened to take up the trap-door, and, touch- 
ing the Princess Hemjunah with the book, I essayed 
to deliver her from her miserable confinement. 
The princess awaked at the touch of the book ; 
but, at the sight of me, shrieked aloud, and I feared 
lest her cries should awaken Bennaskar. I assured 
her that I was sent by the Genius Macoma to effect 
her deliverance, and that I abhorred every kind of 
cruelty which I had practised upon her. 

' Alas ! ' said she, still shrieking at intervals, 
1 your story betrays your wickedness ; I never be- 
fore saw you, unless you are, as I suspect, the 
magician Bennaskar, under some feigned appear- 
ance : but rest assured, vile man ! that no deceit or 
cruelty shall ever make me the wife of Bennaskar.' 

' Most adorable Princess Hemjunah ! ' said I, 
prostrating myself before her ; ' let me beseech 
you to hear me : I am not Bennaskar, nor a crea- 
ture of Bennaskar's, but the servant of the Genius 
Macoma, who has instructed me by means of this 



THE ENCHANTERS. 133 

holy book (which I then pulled out), to attempt 
your rescue ; and I am willing to lay down my life 
for your safety. You have not indeed seen me in 
my present character, but this very night w r as I 
brought hither by Bennaskar, under the similitude 
of a slave, and forced, through a most accursed 
oath, to inflict the severest tortures on the most 
delicate of her sex.' 

' Wretch ! ' said the princess, ' I am now con- 
vinced of thy perfidy, allowing thine own account 
to be true ; for what promise could bind thee to a 
cruel action ; or why wast thou afraid to suffer 
thyself, rather than make an innocent virgin the 
subject of thy cruelties ? But if thou art truly 
the servant of Macoma, and ashamed of thy late 
inhuman deeds, quit the house of the vile Ben- 
naskar, and inform the cadi of his cruelties and 
sorceries.' 

' Kather/ said I, ' my princess, let me dig around 
you, and release you from this miserable confine- 
ment.' 

' That,' said the princess, ' you cannot do, unless 
you are indeed, as I suspect, the wretch Bennas- 
kar ; for by his command alone can I be released. 
— 0, fool that I was,' continued she, with tears, 
' to listen for a moment to the falsities of man ! ' 

' If my information,' said I, ' lovely Hemju- 
nah, will avail, this moment will I fly to the cadi, 
and acquaint him with your distress.' 

I then hastened to go : but 0, judge my terror 
and amazement, when I saw Bennaskar moving 
through the apartments which led to the vaulted 
chamber. 

As he advanced, Hemjunah shrieked, and I 
was ready to sink : though my intentions were just 
and good, yet was I terrified by his appearance ; so 
much was I sunk by the rash promise which I had 



134 TALES OF THE GENII. 

made ; and I every moment expected the dreadful 
effects of his powerful malice. 

As Bennaskar entered the vaulted chamber, I 
shrunk back with fear, and dared not lift up mine 
eyes ; but my terror was soon quieted, when I saw 
him fall prostrate at my feet. I then no longer 
doubted but that the Genius Macoma supported 
me ; and attributed his behaviour to her super- 
natural power. 

'0 Mahoud,' said Bennaskar, 'the friend of 
my bosom, the partner of my secrets ; pity me : 
if the lovely Princess of Cassimir did but know 
the purity of my heart, the ' 

'Hear not the villain ! ' said Hemjunah, ' 
servant of Macoma, unless he release me from 
this detested place : me he hath already deceived ; 
and you will be subjected likewise to his power, 
unless the prudent spirit of Macoma direct thee.' 

' Then,' said Bennaskar, rising up, and laying 
bare his bosom — ' Here, Mahoud, strike, and end 
my miseries, and the miseries of Hemjunah : but 
never will Bennaskar consent to lose the treasure 
of his heart.' 

' I will not,' answered I, ' lift up my private arm 
against thy life, but I shall deliver thee to the power 
of the cadi, who is the deputy of the great Alla's 
vicegerent.' 

' Give me, then,' said the Princess of Cassimir, 
' the book of the Genius Macoma, that I may be 
defended from the insults and contrivances of the 
base Bennaskar.' The request of the princess 
appeared so reasonable, that I obeyed her, and put 
the book into her hands. 

Bennaskar, when I was leaving the vaulted 
chamber, besought me not to destroy the friend 
that had supported me : but I told him, that Alia 
was to be obeyed rather than man. 



THE ENCHANTERS. 1 35 

I hastened to the cadi ; but as it was night, his 
officers told me I could not be heard, till I in- 
formed them I had in my power a wicked magi- 
cian, who, by sorceries, had stolen the Princess 
of Cassimir. When they heard this, they ac- 
quainted the cadi ; and that vigilant magistrate 
arose, and followed me immediately to the house 
of Bennaskar, with his guard. 

As I entered the house of Bennaskar, I was 
amazed to see him standing in the entrance with 
a lamp in his hand ; but my astonishment in- 
creased when I saw him fall down before the cadi, 
and confess his guilt. 

The cadi commanded the guards to seize him, 
and then ordered him to lead us to the place 
where he had concealed the Princess of Cassimir. 
Bennaskar obeyed: but as he went through the 
apartments, he said to me : — ' Mahoud, you are 
sensible that the Princess Hemjunah's body is 
half buried in the earth, and uncovered; there- 
fore prevail upon the cadi, that he suffer us to go 
before and release her : for my part, my sins 
oppress me, and I wish to restore to her dignity 
a much-injured princess.' 

'If,' said I, 'you will promise to release the 
princess, I will endeavour to prevail on the cadi 
to permit what you propose ; but otherwise, let 
the whole world be a witness of your accursed 
malice.' 

' my friend,' said Bennaskar, ' accuse me 
not ; my own heart persecutes me sufficiently : 
yes, Mahoud/ continued he, ' I will, as you require 
me, release the princess, and trust to the mercy 
of the cadi ; for the service of the evil Genii will 
neither bring me profit nor peace.' 

I was pleased at this repentance of Bennaskar, 
and besought the cadi that he would suffer us to 



136 TALES OE THE GENII. 

enter the vaulted chamber first, and recover the 
princess from her enchantment. The cadi ac- 
quiesced in my proposal, but ordered the guards 
to surround the entrance, while Bennaskar and 
myself entered the chamber. 

As soon as we were entered, Bennaskar seized 
me suddenly by the throat, and, before I could 
speak or recollect myself, he dragged me into the 
closet, and shut the door. 

' Now,' said he, ' villain ! receive the just re- 
wards of a perjured heart.' Saying this, he spit 
in my face, and threw me on the ground, and then 
flew out of the closet, shutting the door forcibly 
after him. 

I remained for some moments stupified by my 
fall ; but after a time arose, and opening the 
closet, I was surprised to see neither the Princess 
of Cassimir nor the magician Bennaskar. 

While I was in this confusion, the cadi and his 
guards, being impatient at our stay, entered the 
chamber, and the cadi commanded his guards to 
seize me, saying — * Villain, where is the Princess 
of Cassimir, and the man who revealed thy un- 
righteous actions ? ' 

At this, I began to answer ; when, — -0 accursed 
fortune ! I perceived my voice was as the voice of 
Bennaskar. I immediately looked on my clothes, 
and found them changed. In short, I doubted not 
but that my malicious foe had transformed me into 
his own appearance. 

I fell at the feet of the cadi, and besought him 
for one moment to hear me : I acquainted him 
with every circumstance of my adventures, from 
my entrance into the house of Bennaskar, till that 
present moment. But he and his guards laughed 
at my tale ; however, in a few moments, he grew 
more cool, and commanded me to deliver up my 



THE ENCHANTERS. 137 

friend and the Princess of Cassimir. In vain did 
I call Alia to witness the truth of my story ; the 
cadi was enraged at my persisting in the tale, and 
ordered his guards to give me a hundred strokes 
with the chabouc. 

To add to my misfortune, Bennaskar appeared 
at one end of the room ; and when I cried out and 
pointed to him, the cadi, who saw him not, think- 
ing that I meant to mock him, ordered me another 
hundred lashes with the chabouc. Vexed with 
myself, and subdued by the pains of my punish- 
ment, I fell on the ground, and my guards were 
ordered to carry me to the prison, where I was 
thrown into a deep dungeon, loaded with chains. 

The next morning I was brought out again be- 
fore the cadi, and carried into the public hall of 
justice. The cadi there passed judgment upon 
me, that I should be burnt alive the next day, 
unless I delivered up Mahoud and the Princess 
of Cassimir. 

Finding it vain to repeat my declarations, that 
I was the real Mahoud, and that I suffered through 
the vile enchantments of Bennaskar, I remained 
silent : but this was construed into surliness, and 
I was ordered five hundred bastinadoes to make 
me speak. I therefore begged the cadi to conceive 
what I could possibly answer : supposing my tale 
to be true, I had, I said, suffered severely for my 
rash promise to Bennaskar, and I must submit to 
my fate. 

The cadi then commanded me to be carried back 
to the dungeon, and that a large pile of wood should 
be raised in the market-place, whereon I might be 
burnt the next morning, before all the people. I 
spent the night in the utmost horror, and earnestly 
wished that the sun might never more behold my 
sorrows. But yet the night passed away as usual, 



138 TALES OF THE GENII. 

and the stars fled from the face of day, and I be- 
held the dreadful morning of my execution. 

A tumultuous crowd was gathered together be- 
fore the door of the dungeon, to see me pass to my 
execution ; and as I was dragged along, the com- 
mon people nearly overwhelmed me with stones. 
As I advanced to the pile, I perceived the cadi and 
his officers were seated before it, and that magis- 
trate commanded me to be brought again before 
him ere I was bound to the pile. 

6 Art thou,' said he, as I approached him, ' art 
thou, wretched magician, willing to bring forth the 
princess, or thy friend, who are concealed by thy 
wicked arts ; or must the sentence of our law be 
executed upon thee ?' 

' O judge,' said I, 'since my tale will not gain 
credit with thee, at least let me know by whose ac- 
cusation is it that I am brought before thee, and who 
is it that accuses me of magic or sorcery? Am 
not I Bennaskar, the wealthy merchant of Delhi, 
and where are my accusers ? Who dare say aught 
against my fame? You came into my house by 
night, you seized my person, you inflicted on me 
the punishment of a slave ; you cast me into a 
dungeon, and condemned me to the flames ; and all 
this without the appearance of a single witness 
against me : wherefore, cadi, I appeal unto the 
righteous Sultan of the East, and I hope my fellow- 
citizens will not suffer me to be executed, while 
no proofs of guilt are brought against me.' 

' Young man,' answered the cadi, ' your appeal 
is unnecessary, for I am not desirous of destroying 
my fellow-creatures without a cause. Your plea 
were just and proper, did not your own confession 
contradict your present assertion. Yesterday you 
declared that you were not Bennaskar, and to-day 
you say you are ; wherefore, out of your own lips 



THE ENCHANTERS. 139 

I have convicted you of falsity ; whereas, had you 
really been Bennaskar the merchant, and not a 
magician, there had been no need of two different 
accounts of yourself.' 

The people, hearing this distinction of the cadi, 
applauded their judge ; and one and all cried out 
that I was a magician, and deserved the flames. 

The guards were then ordered to bind me on the 
pile, and I was led up and fixed to a post by the 
chains which had been fastened on my body the 
day before ; and now, amidst the acclamations of 
the people was the pile kindled, and the smoke and 
the flame surrounded the unfortunate Mahoud. 

In a moment the crowd and the heavens disap- 
peared from my sight, and I found myself in the 
body of a toad, at the bottom of the pile. I hopped 
forward out of the flames, and with difficulty hid 
myself beneath a stone in the street. The crowd, 
having waited till the pile was consumed, carried 
the ashes out of the city, and scattered them in the 
air ; and I remained till night beneath the stone. 

It was my intention, as soon as it was dark, to 
creep out of the city into the woods ; but sleep 
overtook me at the time when animals retire to 
their rest : and when I .awaked in the morning, I 
found myself in this forest ; where I remained, 
during the space of a moon, alone, till these two, 
the miserable companions of my solitude, were 
joined unto me. 



'Your adventures, O Mahoud,' said the Sultan 
of India, ' are wonderful, and an excellent lesson of 
caution and prudence to us who are joined in one 
common fate. You slighted the means of retracing 
your steps, which were offered by the good genius. 
Not even the prayers of Hemjunah should have 



140 TALES OF THE GENII, 

induced you to give up the book of the Genius 
Maconia. It was your appointed deliverance from 
the bad consequences of your unworthy choice of 
a friend. Alia w r ould not, doubtless, have aban- 
doned Hemjunah. Since then I perceive both your 
misfortunes and my own, have been brought about 
by our want of trust and prudence, I shall, with 
the utmost resignation, acknowledge that the all- 
perfect Alia is ever willing to assist those who are 
not wanting to themselves. 

£ But, O Mahoud, suffer me, ere I declare my 
own griefs, to ask what is become of the lovely 
Hemjunah, the Princess of Cassimir ; nor wonder 
at my solicitude, for the mention of her name 
brings to my memory the ideas of the past. How 
was it possible that lovely fair one should be be- 
trayed into the power of those wicked enchanters'? 
But why should I be surprised at her weakness, 
wj^dr am myself the object of their malice ? — Surely/ 
continued the Sultan, ' this our companion, whom 
you called princess, cannot be the daughter of 
Zebenezer, the Sultan of Cassimir ? ' 

6 You are right, indeed, in your conjectures,' an- 
swered Mahoud : ' the Princess of Cassimir is a 
fellow-sufferer with us ; and he who is on my right 
hand is Horam, the favourite of Misnar, the lord 
of Delhi.' 

' What ! ' said Misnar, transported, and yet at the 
same time recoiling with surprise, • is my faithful 
Horam also the unfortunate partner of my griefs ? 
Then is Misnar indeed as the leaf of autumn, as 
a feather in the winds of oppression.' 

Horam, understanding that his lord was before 
him, made such acknowledgments of his respect 
as his hideous form would permit : and Mahoud, 
when he perceived that he had been speaking to 



THE ENCHANTERS. 141 

the Sultan of India, followed the example of the 
vizier Horam. 

Misnar then, turning to the Princess of Cassimir, 
said : — 

' Princess, whom a severe enchantment has 
deprived of the most exquisite of all forms, to load 
thee with the most wretched ; permit me to request 
an account of, your unfortunate labours, since you 
left the court of your father Zebenezer ; that at 
least I may indulge my wishes for your recovery, 
though my arm is too weak to work either my own 
or your enlargement.' 

' Most illustrious Sultan,' answered the Princess 
Hemjunah, ' I shall obey your commands, although 
the remembrance of my misfortune is grievous, 
and the confession of my indiscretion must fill me 
with shame.' 

'It is enough, O princess,' said the Sultan, 'to 
confess our faults to Heaven : and he is the 
weakest of the sons of earth who takes a pleasure 
to hear the failings of others.' 

As the Sultan uttered these words, a dervise, 
worn with age, and bowed down by the years of 
infirmity, appeared among the thickets of the forest. 
Horam immediately recollected the features of the 
good old saint, and said : ' My royal master, yonder 
is Shemshelnar, the most pious worshipper of Alia 
among all the sons of Asia.' 

' I do not recollect his features,' answered 
Misnar : ' Came he not to the council of our 
divan ? ' 

* No, my royal lord,' said Horam : ' the oppres- 
sions of age were upon him.' 

By this time Shemshelnar arrived at the place 
where the transformed company were seated ; and 
falling prostrate before Misnar, he said : — 



I42 TALES OF THE GENII. 

'Wonder not, Prince of India, that Sliem- 
shelnar, thy slave, doth thus acknowledge his 
Prince, though deformed by the enchantments of 
the wicked. — Yes, Prince,' continued Shemshel- 
nar, * I knew the evils that surrounded thee ; and 
although I was unable to attend thy council, yet I 
prayed in secret to Him who bestoweth at the 
noon-day, that he would avert from my royal 
master the misfortunes which threatened to over- 
power him. Alia heard my prayer as I lay pros- 
trate in my cell ; and the Genius Bahoudi appear- 
ing, commanded me to seek thee in the forest of 
Tarapajan, whither thy wayward fortune should 
lead thee. — ' Genius,' replied I, ' how shall age 
and infirmity comply with thy commands ? ' 

' ' Go,' said Bahoudi, touching me with his 
finger ; ' for strength is given thee from above. 
The enchantress Ulin hath transformed thy Prince 
into the most hideous reptile of the earth. But 
wonder not at the deformity of his appearance, 
nor at the malice of her who has overpowered 
him ; for such is the fate of those who are most 
exalted in their virtues, that their enemies, when- 
ever occasion is given them, will strive to render 
them most odious. Thy Prince will -be, ere you 
arrive in the forest, surrounded by three others in 
equal affliction : it is permitted thee to rescue the 
Sultan of India ; but the rest must wear the chains 
of the enchantress till Ulin is no more.' 

' But ere I restore thee, O Sultan of my heart,' 
continued Shemshelnar, ' such are the words which 
the Genius hath commanded me to utter before 
thee : — 

' ' Religion, O Misnar, is the first and the greatest 
duty of life, and the service of Alia and his 
Prophet the sweetest offering of a grateful heart. 



THE ENCHANTERS. 143 

But lie who appointed the ceremonies and services of 
piety and devotion, hath also given to all their 
respective stations in the warfare of life. How 
then shall we pay honour to Alia, if, by complying 
with the fantastical pilgrimages of the devotees, 
we neglect and desert the peculiar duties of that 
post wherein Alia hath placed us ? The signet of 
Mahomet, O Prince, of which Mangelo the prophet 
did prophesy, is it not that seal which the Faithful 
bear on their frontlets, when they obey the voice 
of reason and religion ?' and the girdle of Opakka, 
with which Eifri the enchanter is endued, what is 
it but foresight and prudence, the best allies of 
the Sultans of the earth? To save his people, 
my Prince hath deserted them, and given away 
what he sought to keep. When Alia placed thee 
on the throne of India, he thence expected to 
hear thy petitions : but as faults which proceed 
from goodness, though uninstructed, are beheld 
with Heaven's piteous eye, therefore arise, Sultan 
(said Shemshelnar, and touched him), rise from the 
filth of the earth, and become again endued with 
the glories with which Alia hath endued thee. 
And know, that such is the care of Mahomet over 
thee, that he hath curbed the hands of thine ene- 
mies, and bids thee go forth against them, assured 
of this, that they shall not be able by their en- 
chantments to foresee thy designs, nor to over- 
power thee by the help of their magical deceits, 
unless thou yield to their snares. Be prudent and 
vigilant, and fear them not. Only this is permitted 
against thee, if thou canst not overpower and 
destroy them unawares, they must use their art 
to conceal their escape, and avoid thy arm : there- 
fore be bold and quick, and yet cautious and dis- 
cerning, lest, when force avails not, they employ 



144 TALES OF THE GENII. 

fraud to destroy thee. But ii thou canst resist 
their temptations, their powers are for a time 
suspended, and their delusive visions will melt 
away.' 

The Continuation of the Tale of the Enchanters ; or, 
Misnar, the Sultan of the East. 

As Shemshelnar finished these words, Misnar 
arose in his just proportion : hut, ere he spake to 
the holy dervise who had released him, he fell 
prostrate and adored the goodness of Alia, and of 
Mahomet his prophet, who had thus rescued him 
from the power of Ulin. Then, rising, he took 
Shemshelnar by the hand, and thanked him for his 
release and advice. 

' Thou hast done right, Misnar,' said the 
dervise, ' to give the greatest honour to Alia : but 
to him alone belongs all honour ; and Shemshel- 
nar is the slave of Mahomet, thy prophet.' 

' And what ! ' continued the Sultan, ' must I not 
hope that it will please the great Prophet of the 
Faithful to release also these my fellow-sufferers ? ' 

' Misnar alone can release them,' answered the 
dervise. 

' Let Ulin perish, and these unfortunate persons 
shall be restored to thee and themselves : but in 
the meantime they must learn to bear their mis- 
fortunes with patience, and offer their prayers for 
thy safety. The road to Delhi is through this 
desert forest, and to the left is situated the palace 
of Ulin. She is already acquainted with thy trans- 
formation, and is studying to deceive thee a second 
time : but beware, O Misnar ! for if she prevail, 
death and destruction await thee.' 

Misnar, having received the instructions of the 
dervise, took leave of his companions; assuring 



THE ENCHANTERS. 145 

tliem he was desirous of meeting the crafty Ulin 
as soon as^possible, that he might either give up 
all pretensions to his kingdom, or deliver his 
subjects and his friends from the hands of the 
enchantress. 

The Sultan of the Indies, having left the dervise 
and his friends, advanced into the forest, chewing 
some leaves which Shemshelnar had given him to 
support him till he should arrive at his palace. 
He had not advanced more than tw T o days' journey 
in the forest, before he heard the violent shrieks of 
a distressed woman; and at a distance saw four 
ruffians beating a lady inhumanly. 

Misnar was enraged at what he saw, and, flying 
to the lady's assistance, he bade the ruffians defend 
themselves. The ruffians, leaving the lady, chose 
not to encounter the arm of Misnar, but fled ; and 
the Prince, stepping up to the lady, desired to know 
by what accident she fell thus alone into the hands 
of the robbers ? 

' O, noble Sir,' said the lady, in tears, ' for I 
perceive by your mien that I speak to no common 
friend, it was my fate to be beloved by the hand- 
somest of the sons of the Faithful. I lived in 
Delhi, the daughter of an emir; and Hazar, the 
captain of a thousand in the armies of Misnar, 
the Sultan of the East, was my admirer : but, alas! 
his love has proved my destruction. The second 
son of the great Dabulcombar, being assisted by 
Ulin the enchantress, aspired to his brother's 
throne ; and the soldiers, who loved the hazardous 
chance of war, deserted frequently from Misnar, 
our Sultan : among the rest, Hazar, in spite of 
my utmost endeavours, revolted with his thousand 
men. 

* ' There is no preferment,' said he, ' in the 
peaceful reign of Misnar : I will follow the for- 
L 



146 TALES OF THE GENII. 

tunes of his brother, whose throne must be gained 
and supported by arms.' 

'In vain I remonstrated, and urged both love 
and duty. ' My love,' said Hazar, ' is still unalter- 
able : thou wilt soon see me return the favourite of 
the new monarch ; and it will then be in my power 
to raise thee to higher dignities than those which 
thy father now possesses.' 

' Hazar then left me by night ; and soon I heard 
that he had joined the rebel army : but, generous 
stranger ! what was my grief, when I understood that 
Ulin, the detestable enchantress, had cast her sor- 
ceries around him, and had imprisoned him in her 
castle. I set out without delay for the camp, and, 
studying to avoid the army of Misnar, travelled 
through this wood with four attendants ; — but, ere 
the second day of my journey was past, I was seized 
by two satyrs of the wood, and my retinue were 
left behind me. 

t The satyrs hurried me along till the night over- 
shadowed us, and then brought me, through many 
dark and intricate windings, to a palace which was 
illuminated with ten thousand lamps. — ' Now,' said 
they, ' enter, and behold thy faithful Hazar.' 

1 Immediately I was led into a magnificent hall, 
and from that into a second ; where, on a throne 
of silver, sat Hazar, the perfidious Hazar, with the 
hideous Ulin by his side. 

1 My indignation overpowered me, and I swooned 
away. On recovering, I found myself in total dark- 
ness : but the horror of my situation gave me 
energy; I roved about, endeavouring to find out 
some passage that might lead to daylight. After 
much trouble and fear, and passing through several 
dark entries, I arrived at the foot of a staircase, 
which led up into a yard belonging to the palace. 
On the top of this staircase I sat till night : and 



THE ENCHANTERS. 147 

then ventured forth, resolving rather to die than 
continue in that detested place. 

' Having crossed the yard, I this morning came 
to a deep ditch, or canal, which I perceived wound 
round the palace ; and I make no douht but that 
all access or recess from this palace must be over a 
bridge which was guarded, as I perceived when I 
was led by the satyrs of the wood. 

' As I had learned to swim in the women's baths 
which were in my father's palace, I resolved rather 
to run the risk of my life than to be kept a prisoner 
in Ulin's palace, and therefore boldly threw myself 
into the canal ; and fear giving me strength, I 
crossed the water in a short time. 

' Being now arrived at the farther side, I struck 
into the thickest part of the forest, and wandered 
about for some time till morning ; when on a sud- 
den I heard several voices among the trees. In an 
instant four ruffians surrounded me, and had not 
your powerful arm interposed, I had suffered the 
vilest of deaths.' 

Misnar endeavoured to comfort the afflicted 
stranger; and asked her whether she thought it 
possible for any man to enter the palace of Ulin 
undiscovered ? 

1 If/ answered she, ' I was able to get out without 
molestation, doubtless the same method will give 
you an opportunity of entering it/ 

The Sultan Misnar seemed in doubt as she 
spoke. 

* Sultan/ said she, ' let me prevail upon you to 
follow me ; and I will ensure your success.' 

Misnar, recovering from his musing posture, be- 
sought her to walk before, and show him the path 
which led to the palace. 

' We shall reach it by night,' said the stranger, 
* when the darkness shall protect thee.' 
L2 



I48 TALES OF THE GENII. 

The beautiful stranger then went forward, and 
Misnar followed at her heels. 

Ere they had proceeded twenty paces, Misnar 
said : — ' It will be proper, fair stranger, to 
draw my scimitar, lest we be set upon suddenly by 
the robbers.' 

' You are right,' answered the fair stranger ; ' and 
your precaution is just.' 

The Sultan Misnar, having drawn his sabre, 
followed close behind the beautiful stranger, and 
suddenly with a blow smote her on the shoulders, 
and felled her to the ground. The fair stranger 
was no sooner fallen, than her countenance changed; 
her soft plump cheeks fell in two bags from the 
bones ; the forehead and the temples were contracted 
with wrinkles, and the jaws, parting as with age 
and infirmity, discovered to Misnar the features of 
the malicious enchantress Ulin ; who, though nearly 
spent and exhausted by the blow, yet lived to utter 
the following imprecations : — 

' May the curse of our sex light upon thee, thou 
traitor to manhood ! since neither the charms nor 
the afflictions of the fair have been able to soften 
thine heart. Thou hast, indeed, avoided my snares, 
by trampling on the most sacred laws of humanity 
and hospitality. Idiot that I was, to trust myself 
to thee, though guarded by the strongest appear- 
ances of innocence and distress ! The injured and 
the helpless can find no protection in thy govern- 
ment, though thou boastest thyself the delegate of 
Alia, and the friend of the oppressed ; and I, trust- 
ing to thy specious virtues, am fallen a sacrifice to 
thy deceitful heart. Since Alia is the guardian of 
such hypocrisy, I now disclaim his authority as 
much upon principle, as heretofore I have braved 
his vengeance, that I might live free from his 
laws.' 



THE ENCHANTERS. I49 

1 Hold, wretched instrument of sin,' said 
Misnar ; ' and ere thou quittest that mortal seat of 
wickedness, hear Him justified whom thou deniest, 
and understand how thine own arts were dis- 
covered to me. — That four ruffians should quit 
their prey at the sight of one man, did first stagger 
my credulity, and I expected at least to find them 
return, and revenge my interposition : but when no 
one appeared to interrupt our security, I then be- 
gan most to fear, and listen to thy tale, as one 
who expected to be ensnared by the wiles of thy 
hypocrisy. Thy tale, though artful, did happily 
contradict itself. Thy dishevelled garments, dis- 
posed in such an artful manner, were dry and 
clean, and contradicted your words, when you 
pretended you had swum across the canal. This 
strengthened my doubts, which you at length con- 
firmed, by calling me, at the latter part of your 
history, Sultan. Then fled my doubt, and cer- 
tainty succeeded : I feared to follow, and yet re- 
solved to revenge ; and Alia, in mercy, gave 
success to my arm.' Here Misnar broke off; for 
her iniquitous spirit was fled from the body of 
Ulin, and the Sultan left her mangled and de- 
formed corpse a prey to the beasts of the forest. 

He travelled for several days backward, hoping 
to find the former companions of his misery ; and 
at last came to the place which he had left, but 
could find no signs of them : wherefore, conclud- 
ing that their enchantment was broken by the 
death of Ulin, the Sultan returned towards Delhi, 
subsisting on the leaves which the dervise had 
given him, and on the fruits of the earth ; and in 
twelve days' time arrived at a small town in his 
own dominions. Here he lodged at a poor cot- 
tage, where he found an old woman and her son ; 
and inquired whether she could procure him any 



150 TALES OF THE GENII. 

horses or mules to carry him the next morning 
to Delhi ? 

' Alas ! ' answered the old woman, ' we have no 
cattle with us ; the army has stripped us of all.' 

' What ! ' answered Misnar, ' has the rebel army 
been foraging so near Delhi ? ' 

' Alack,' said the old woman, ' I think all armies 
are rebels, for my part. Indeed, the soldiers told 
us that they were the Sultan's army, and that they 
were sent to guard us from the rebels : but in the 
mean time, they took our cattle and provision, and 
paid us nothing for them ; and still, every time 
they came, they called themselves our guardians 
and friends. If this is all the friendship great 
men can show us, we poor people should be best 
pleased to live as far from them as we can.' 

Misnar, although he smiled at the poor woman's 
manner of delivery, was yet affected at the sub- 
stance of her speech ; and lifting up his eyes and 
hands secretly to Heaven, as she went out for 
sticks to kindle a fire to dress his provisions, he 
said : — 

' just and merciful Alia, and thou faithful 
Prophet of the Highest, I call you both to wit- 
ness, with how much reluctance I have begun this 
war, and how greatly mine heart is inclined to 
promote the peace of my subjects ; not out of 
personal fear, as ye, O Powers above ! can bear 
me witness ; but out of that love and affection 
which I owe to my people, who, as my children, 
depend upon me for the blessings they enjoy. 
O Alia, preserve me from the avarice of ambition ! 
that, while the rich and the proud advise me to 
delight in blood, I may ever remember the severi- 
ties which the poor must suffer ; and that I may 
rather rejoice to relieve one oppressed slave, than to 
enrich ten thousand flattering emirs of my court ! ' 



THE ENCHANTERS. 151 

As soon as the old woman was entered again 
into her house, the disguised Sultan advised her 
and her neighbours to join in a petition and pre- 
sent it to the Sultan in his divan. 

' A petition ! ' answered the old woman ; ' for 
what?' * 

' To relieve your distresses,' said Misnar. 

* Alas ! who is to relieve our distresses, but 
Alia?' said the woman. 

1 Your Sultan, the servant of Alia, will relieve 
them,' replied Misnar. 

' What ! ' answered the old woman, ' can he re- 
store to these arms my dutiful first-born, who has 
been so long the joy of my aged heart, but was 
lately torn from me, to fill up the armies of the 
Sultan ? Can he call back the brave men he has 
caused to be destroyed, and give life and spirits, 
and joy again, to the widows and orphans of 
India? If he can, let him hasten to relieve 
the afflicted hearts of his subjects, and become 
unto them as a god upon earth ! ' 

The Sultan Misnar was astonished at the words 
and the gestures of the poor old woman, and 
deeply stricken by her sensible observations ; for 
he perceived she spoke as she felt, and was ani- 
mated by the tender subject. 

' How seldom,' said he to himself, ' do the rich 
feel the distresses of the poor ! and in the midst 
of conquest and acclamation, who regardeth the 
tears and afflictions of those who have lost their 
private friends in the public service ! ' 

The Sultan Misnar rested that night in the cot- 
tage of the old woman ; and the next morning he 
arose and was conducted by her younger son to 
a town half a day's journey farther. Here he 
equipped himself with mules, and in one day 
more reached the city of Delhi. 



152 TALES OF THE GENII. 

The Sultan entered a caravansera, where he 
found several merchants : he asked them how 
they dared venture to trade, when the armies of 
the rebels were spread over the face of India ? 

' As to that/ answered the first merchant, ' we 
have lived here some time in expectation that one 
party or the other would prevail. It little matters 
to us which, provided trade was encouraged. As 
to the Sultan's party, there was not, till within 
these few days, any hope of their success. The 
young man himself has retired from his throne, 
being fearful of encountering his enemies ; and 
the captains of the army had destroyed the prime 
vizier Horam.' 

'And what,' interrupted Misnar, 'is the cause of 
this change in favour of the Sultan ? ' 

' Ten clays since,' answered the merchant, c con- 
trary to every one's belief, as we all thought him 
dead, the vizier Horam appeared at the head of 
the army, and assured the officers that his lord 
Misnar was living, and had destroyed the en- 
chantress Ulin, who espoused the cause of his 
brother Ahubal; that, in consequence of Ulin's 
death, Ahubal was fled, and his army dispersed ; 
and he expected his royal master would shortly 
appear among them.' 

The Sultan Misnar was rejoiced at this news, 
and without delay hastened to the palace of his 
vizier. The slaves of Horam seeing the dis- 
guised Sultan, asked his business. 

4 1 come,' replied Misnar, ' to communicate to 
thy lord tidings of our Sultan.' 

At these words, the slaves of Horam conducted 
Misnar to their master's presence ; and Horam no 
sooner saw his master in the disguise with which 
he furnished him, than he fell at the Sultan's feet, 
and congratulated him on his safe return. 



THE ENCHANTERS. 1 53 

* My faithful Horam,' said Misnar, ' arise. The 
day is not yet so far spent but that my court may 
be assembled. Give orders, Horam, that the 
army be drawn up, and let thy slaves proceed to 
the palace, and bring the imperial robes : my peo- 
ple require my presence, and Misnar yearns to see 
the supporters of his throne.' 

Horam arose, and the Sultan embracing him 
said : — 

' Horam, I am desirous of hearing the parti- 
culars of thy fate ; but public advantage must not 
yield to private friendship.' 

The faithful Horam then hastened to call toge- 
ther the princes and viziers of the court of Delhi, 
and gave orders that the army should be drawn 
up in the royal square before the divan. 

The Sultan Misnar being arrayed in his imperial 
robes, delayed not to show himself to his people : 
and no sooner did he appear, than his subjects 
cried out — 'Long live the Sultan of our hearts, 
who alone was able to conquer the powers of en- 
chantment ! ' 

The Sultan was overjoyed to find his people re- 
ceived him with gladness, and commanded money 
to be thrown among the populace, and double sub- 
sistence to be issued out to his army. The viziers 
and officers of justice being assembled in the 
divan, waited the arrival of their Sultan; and 
Misnar, having ascended his throne, commanded 
Horam to deliver to him a faithful account of his 
enemies. 

Horam the vizier then arose from his seat, and 
assured his Sultan that the rebel army was dis- 
persed, and that Ahubal was fled with a few friends 
to the shores of the Indian ocean. 

The Sultan, on this report commanded his army 
to be stationed at just intervals, about a day's jour- 



154 TALES OF THE GENII. 

ney around the city of Delhi, and their numhers 
to be reduced ; and that peace should be proclaimed 
the next day in the city. 

No sooner were the viziers dismissed from the 
divan, than Misnar, retiring into his palace, sent 
for his faithful vizier Horam, and desired him to 
give him a true relation of what had happened to 
him since his departure from the army. 

' Royal Sir,' answered Horam, 'you were no 
sooner departed than I began to inspect the order 
and the discipline of your troops ; to look into the 
methods of providing for the army, and to appoint 
proper officers, who should take care that the sol- 
diers had sufficient and wholesome provision ; that 
their tents were good ; that the situations of the 
different battalions were in healthy places, near 
springs and rivers, but on dry soils, and as far as 
possible removed- from swampy fens, or the stag- 
nated air of the forests. During this time, little 
occurred of which I could inform my lord, as I 
meant not to trouble you with my own concerns ; 
lest it should seem that I was proud of the trifling 
dispositions which I had made in favour of the 
army. 

' The rebels in the mean time were quiet, and 
their distance only prevented me from destroying 
them : but, on a sudden, a messenger arrived with 
tidings that all the southern provinces had revolted ; 
that the enchantress Ulin was with them, and con- 
ducted their forces ; that Ahubal was declared 
Sultan of India by her; and that she was deter- 
mined to support his cause. Upon this I took such 
precautions as, doubtless, my Sultan must have 
read in the tablets, but my precautions seemed 
vain ; for the next night we were on a sudden terri- 
fied with a second alarm, that the rebels were 
within half a day's march of our camp ; which I 



THE ENCHANTERS. 155 

thought, considering their former distance, must 
be the effect of enchantment. 

' This threw our officers into the greatest con- 
sternation, who, collecting themselves in a body, 
came rushing toward the royal tent, and demanded 
a sight of the Sultan ; and declared their resolution 
of revolting to the enemy, unless you headed the 
troops. 

' I was writing despatches in the royal tent when 
I heard their tumult, and my heart fled as they 
approached : but as they stopped for some time to 
fix upon one for their speaker, I had just time to 
slip on a slave's habit, and cut my way through the 
back side of the tent. I ran as swiftly as my feet 
could carry me out of the encampment : and being 
stopped by several sentinels, I told them I was 
despatched by the vizier, and showed them mine 
own signet. 

' But I was no sooner clear of the army than I 
repented my folly. — * What have I done ! ' said I 
to myself: ' I have deserted my post and ruined 
the interest of my lord : better had I died at the 
head of my Sultan's troops, or fallen a sacrifice to 
their rage, than thus ingloriously to perish ob- 
scurely ! Besides, I may have been terrified without 
just cause ; the rebel army may not be so near ; I 
ought to have staid in the tent, and endeavoured to 
have pacified the officers of the army/ 

' And now I was in doubt whether to return, or, 
as I had penetrated thus far, whether it would not 
be most prudent to take a near survey of the rebel 
army. I resolved upon the last ; and cautiously 
travelled toward the place were the spies said they 
were encamped. 

' 1 arrived at the spot described, but saw neither 
sentinels nor encampment. Amazed at this, I pro- 
ceeded onwards during that and the next day; but 



156 TALES OF THE GENII. 

no army was to be seen, nor anything indicating 
their approach. 

' This made me curse my folly and my credulity. 
Alas ! Horam, said I to myself, how little worthy 
wert thou of the confidence of thy lord ! And 
yet, better is this mistake than the certainty of the 
rebels' approach, which could not have been effected 
without the power of enchantment. 

' Ere it was too late, I resolved to return ; hoping 
that I should pacify the troops by assuring them 
that I had in person been a witness to the untruth 
of the last alarm. 

' But, alas ! w T hen I essayed to return, I found 
my feet fixed to the ground; and in a moment 
the earth trembled, and Ulin, the enchantress, 
arose on the back of an enormous toad. 

' ' Wise and sagacious vizier,' said she, in an in- 
sulting tone, ' I admire your prudence and discre- 
tion ! and although Mahomet and his faithful crew 
of Genii will not permit us to overpower you, or 
your prudent master, unless through your own 
inadvertency you fall into our snares, yet there is 
little to be feared from their interposition while 
you become such easy dupes to our artifices. The 
army which I lead against thy wretched Sultan is 
not less than forty days' march hence, and is em- 
barrassed by the mountains and the forests ; and 
yet the credulous vizier fled from his charge at the 
most improbable alarm, and fled into the arms of 
one who well knows how to reward his prudence 
and address. Become, therefore, silly vizier, 
like the reptile that bears me ; and I shall in a 
moment transport thee into the forest of Tarapajan, 
where several of thy wise brethren are gone before 
thee.' 

'As she spake thus, the enchantress breathed 



THE ENCHANTERS. 157 

on me with her pestiferous breath, and I fell to the 
ground and crawled like a toad before her. 

' Ulin then waved her hand, and sleep overpow- 
ered me ; and when I awoke, I found myself be- 
tween the Merchant of Delhi and the Princess of 
Cassimir, who, like me, had felt the vengeance of 
Ulin the enchantress. 

'It was some consolation to us that our speech 
was not taken from us, but that we were able to 
communicate to each other our misfortunes. 

' Mahoud first inquired of me the adventures of 
my life, and I had just finished them the day before 
my dear transformed lord appeared among us. 
While Mahoud was relating his history, your voice, 
O Sultan, struck my ears ; and I feared to ask 
whether my lord was in equal affliction with his 
slave.' 

' Did you not, then,' said Misnar, ' hear the ad- 
ventures of Hemjunah, the Princess of Cassimir ? ' 

' I did not, my Sultan,' answered Horam : ' Hem- 
junah was about to relate her adventures when you 
appeared ; and after Shemshelnar, the dervise had 
released you, she desired to reserve them till such 
time as we should meet hereafter in our natural 
shapes. 

• Two days after you left us with Shemshelnar, 
who endeavoured to comfort our afflictions, on a 
sudden we perceived a vivid flash of lightning, 
which was succeeded by a violent clap of thunder; 
and while we were looking at each other the wood 
instantly vanished, and I found myself in my 
palace at Delhi. What became of Mahoud, or the 
Princess of Cassimir, I know not : but I was sen- 
sible that my prince had conquered the enchantress, 
who had laid such hateful chains upon us. 

'I hastened to the divan of viziers and emirs, 



158 TALES OF THE GENII. 

who were astonished at my presence. They were 
met in order to appoint a sultan, having just heard 
from the army that both their Sultan and his vizier 
were fled from the encampments. A friend of 
Ahubal's had proposed that prince to succeed my 
royal master, and orders were given to proclaim 
him, when I arrived in the divan. 

' Being acquainted with the resolutions of the 
viziers and emirs, I proclaimed aloud that my 
royal master Misnar was alive, and that he had 
destroyed the enchantress Ulin, who had espoused 
the cause of Ahubal. At this declaration the 
viziers and emirs prostrated themselves and gave 
thanks to Alia ; and the trumpets and the cornets 
went through the streets of Delhi, and proclaimed 
my arrival and the victory of Misnar, their Sultan, 
over the enchantress Ulin. I despatched orders, 
before the divan broke up, to the army, with ad- 
vice of your success, and commanded a part to 
march for the city of Delhi, leaving only a suffi- 
cient number of troops to observe the motion of 
the enemy, if they should again unite ; for I knew 
that Ulin's destruction would cause a dissipation 
of their army. 

' Having settled the affairs of my master, to 
complete my joy tidings were brought me of his 
approach; and Horam is again blessed with the 
sight of his Sultan.' 

The vizier Horam, having finished his relation, 
bowed himself before the Sultan, and said: — 
' Shall thy slave give orders that an ambassador 
be sent to the Sultan of Cassimir to inquire after 
the fate of the Princess Hemjunah?' 

' Horam,' answered the Sultan, ' while war stalks 
thus boldly through our dominions, it were vain 
to assume a state that we may in a moment be 



THE ENCHANTERS. 159 

bereaved of. No, Horam, let us wait for more 
prosperous hours.' 

Early in the morning several messengers ar- 
rived with the new^s of the death of Ulin and 
the revolt of ten provinces from Ahubal; and 
soon after the provinces sent deputies to excuse 
their rebellion, and to beseech the Sultan to 
pardon their offences. Misnar yielded to their 
prayers, but ordered some of the most faithful 
of his troops to march into their borders and to 
encamp among them. The Sultan then redressed 
the grievances which his soldiers had committed, 
as far as he was able, and by a just and equable 
law obliged every division to furnish such a num- 
ber of troops ; for although no clouds were then 
seen to interrupt his reign, yet Misnar was as- 
sured that he should shortly be called upon to 
exercise his prudence, through the wiles of his 
enemies the enchanters. Nor were his fears un- 
just ; Ahubal, though deserted by the provinces, 
was yet espoused by the magician Happuck, who, 
hearing of the defeat of his sister Ulin, w r as re- 
solved to revenge the cause of that detested race. 

It was not long before the Sultan heard that 
the magician Happuck was encouraging the pro- 
vinces which had followed Ulin again to revolt 
from their Sultan : but the fear of Misnar's troops 
overawed them; and, whatever might be their 
real inclinations, yet they were obliged to refuse 
the offers and entreaties of Happuck. The Sultan, 
to secure their obedience the more effectually, in- 
creased the number of his forces in the provinces, 
and preserved the chain of communication from 
them quite through his extensive dominions. 

The magician, finding the Sultan's forces so 
well disposed, and that no encouragement could 



l6o TALES OF THE GENII. 

prevail on the southern provinces to revolt, aban- 
doned his design of succeeding by the force of 
arms, and flew to the weapons of craft and dis- 
simulation. Though Happuck had now been 
employed nearly a year in raising commotions 
among the subjects of India, two provinces only 
owned the government of Ahubal; the rest con- 
tinued firm in their loyalty to the Sultan Misnar. 
These provinces had raised a light army of about 
forty thousand men, who by forced marches har- 
assed the neighbouring provinces around them. 
Of these, three thousand horsemen parted sud- 
denly from the rest, and by following unfrequented 
tracks over the mountains and through the forests, 
arrived at length within two days' march of Delhi. 
Here, pitching their tents, they sent several of 
their chief officers to Delhi, to assure the Sultan 
that they were greatly afflicted at their crimes, and 
were desirous of laying down their rebellious arms 
at his feet. 

Horam the vizier received these suppliants, and, 
representing their contrition to the Sultan, he 
commanded them to join the main army ; at the 
same time sending despatches to his general to 
dismount them from their horses, and to encamp 
them in such a situation that they might not be 
able either to escape or to annoy his army, if they 
should be disposed again to revolt. 

The magician Happuck, who was among the 
officers that appeared at Delhi, and who had con- 
trived the revolt, in order to get into the presence 
of the Sultan, was greatly chagrined to find that 
the vizier Horam received him, and that he was 
not to be admitted into Misnar's presence ; but 
concealing his disappointment, he with the rest 
joined the three thousand horsemen, and marched 
to the grand army of Misnar. 



THE ENCHANTERS, l6l 

Once a year the whole army was reviewed by 
the Sultan in person ; and it happened, that the 
disguised magician and his troop of horsemen 
arrived at the army three days before this gene- 
ral review, The magician was rejoiced at this 
fortunate event. 

1 Ibrac,' said he to the officer who commanded 
his troop, ' fortune has now given me an oppor- 
tunity of revenging the death of my sister Ulin : 
this disguise of an officer is not sufficient ; I will 
descend to the meanest rank, where I shall be less 
suspected, and as the Sultan Misnar passes be- 
tween the ranks where I am situated, I will draw 
my bow and pierce him to the heart : having done 
this I shall render myself invisible ; and do you 
in the general consternation proclaim Ahubal the 
Sultan of India.' 

' Most powerful magician,' answered Ibrac, ' what 
need is there of this deceit ? Since you are able 
to render yourself invisible, why cannot you enter 
the Sultan's palace unseen, and stab him to the 
heart?' 

' Faithful Ibrac,' answered the magician, e you 
know not the powers which support this boy-like 
urchin. The Genius Bahoudi, at whose name our 
race trembles, is his guardian, and prevents my ap- 
proach : and it is written in the volumes of fate 
that no enchantment shall prevail against Misnar, 
unless he first allow our crafty race to deceive 
him. Otherwise, Ibrac, dost thou suppose that 
so many of my brethren, before whom the moun- 
tains tremble, and the ocean boils, should need 
to league against a boy ? No, Ibrac ; Misnar were 
beneath our vengeance or our art, did not Maho- 
met espouse him, and his mean vassals, the good 
Genii of mankind ! The conquest of this boy, 
while thus supported, would add strength to our 
M 



1 62 TALES OF THE GENII. 

cause, and convince the powers of heaven that the 
children of earth belong to us, and not to them.' 

Ibrac then furnished the magician with the 
clothing of one of the common soldiers, and he 
was mustered with the rest of the troops. 

Early in the morning on which Misnar was to 
review his troops, the Sultan arose, and bade his 
slaves, who waited in the pavilion, to call his 
vizier Horam to him. 

1 Horam,' said the Sultan, ' I suspect the crafty 
magician Happuck ; he is doubtless here disguised 
in our camp ; and if I expose myself to-day, it 
may be in his power to set the crown of India on 
my brother's head.' 

' Let my Sultan, then,' said Horam, ' proclaim a 
reward to him who discovers the magician, even to 
the holding of the second place in your empire.' 

' That contrivance would have little effect,' said 
the Sultan ; f Happuck would elude our search, 
and transforming himself into some reptile, escape 
our vengeance, and then meditate some new device 
to deceive us. — No, Horam,' continued Misnar, ' if 
he be really with us, it were folly to let him escape.' 

' But how will my lord discover him amidst three 
hundred thousand troops ? ' answered the vizier : 
€ there is no officer in your army knows the fiftieth 
part of your soldiers ; and where recruits are daily 
added to the army, to search for a particular per- 
son without giving the alarm, so that Happuck 
might escape, would be impossible.' 

'In how many ranks,' said the Sultan, 'is the 
army to be disposed ? ' 

' The plain,' answered the vizier, ' on which they 
are to be reviewed, will contain three thousand in 
a row.' 

' Bring me then two hundred of the most expert 
archers in my army,' said the Sultan, ' and take 



THE ENCHANTERS. 1 63 

them from those troops who are the farthest from 
the deserters who lately joined the army.' 

The vizier did as the Sultan commanded ; and 
brought the archers before the royal pavilion. 

' Go now, Horam,' said the Sultan, ■ and order 
all the troops to be drawn out on the plain.' 

' They are almost assembled,' said Horam, ' al- 
ready.' 

' Then,' replied the Sultan, ' take these archers, 
and place one at each extremity of the ranks, an 
archer on the right of each rank : but, before you 
station them thus, give them the following orders : 
Be ready with your bows strung, and your arrows 
fixed to the bow-string ; and whenever the word of 
command is given for all the army to fall prostrate, 
let your arrows fly at the man who is last to obey 
the word of command.' 

The troops being all drawn forth in their ranks, 
and the archers disposed according to the Sultan's 
orders, the Sultan Misnar came forth, attended by 
his eunuchs, viziers, emirs, and guards. The loud 
clarions sounded, the lively notes of the trumpets 
were heard, and the brazen cymbals shook the 
trembling air. 

The magician, who was impatient to perpetrate 
the malicious purposes of his heart, was elated at 
the warlike sound; and he beheld the Sultan's 
retinue at a distance, with such joy as the eagle 
views the flocks of sheep on the plains of Homah. 

The Sultan being arrived at the front of his 
army, which he knew was composed of his most 
faithful troops, commanded silence throughout the 
plain. 

' My brave soldiers,' said he, ' although no care 

nor resolution has been wanting on your parts to 

extirpate the rebellion of my provinces, yet to Alia 

only, and to Mahomet his prophet, belong the glory 

M2 



164 TALES OF THE GENII. 

and the honour of your arms : wherefore let imme- 
diate orders he issued forth among my troops, that 
all do together fall prostrate on the ground before 
the all-seeing Alia, the Governor of the world, and 
the Disposer of kingdoms and of crowns.' 

As this order went forth through the ranks, the 
soldiers at once fell prostrate before Alia, all but 
the magician Happuck, who was surprised and 
astonished at the order, and irresolute what to do. 
But little time was given him to think ; for no 
sooner were his fellow-soldiers fallen prostrate on 
each side of him, than the arrows of the archers 
pierced his haart. 

The magician, finding himself overpowered, and 
that the messengers of death had seized him, raised 
his voice aloud, and with what little strength was 
left, cursed both Alia and his Prophet : but the 
stream of life flowed swiftly from him, and his 
curses grew fainter and fainter, till they were lost 
in death. 

Those who were acquainted with the designs of 
Happuck, perceiving that the magician was dead, 
and their plot discovered, began to fly : and first, 
Ibrac essayed to head his discarded troops ; but 
they, not being used to march on foot, soon fell 
into confusion, and the forces of the Sultan sur- 
rounding them, they were instantly destroyed. The 
Sultan Misnar saw by the confusion of his army in 
the centre, that the discovery was made ; and sent 
Horam, with some chosen troops, to inquire into 
the cause of their disorder. 

The vizier was no sooner arrived, than he per- 
ceived several soldiers bringing along the body of 
the magician Happuck, which appeared undisguised 
after death. 

' Bid the two archers,' said the vizier, ' who de- 
stroyed the monster, come forward.' 



THE ENCHANTERS. 165 

When the archers were come forward, Horam 
applauded their skill and their ohedience ; and 
advised them to take the body between them, and 
carry it before the Sultan. The archers obeyed ; 
and the ranks before opening as they passed, they 
soon arrived at the feet of Misnar. 

The Sultan, seeing his enemy thus destroyed, 
ordered the two archers ten purses, containing each 
one hundred pieces of gold; and to every other 
archer, one purse, containing one hundred pieces 
of gold. To him who brought the head of Ibrac 
also, he gave five purses of like value ; and then 
again issued out his command, that the whole army 
should fall prostrate, and adore the mercy of Alia, 
w T ho had so soon delivered into their hands the 
chief of their enemies. 

In the mean time, two only of the troops of Ibrac 
and Happuck escaped ; and, returning to Ahubal, 
acquainted him with their defeat. Ahubal fled at 
the news, and hid himself in the mountains ; for 
he feared lest his soldiers should betray him, and 
deliver him up to his brother. But Ollomand the 
enchanter, who first counselled the Sultan of India 
to secure his throne by spilling the innocent blood 
of his brother, now resolved to revenge the common 
cause ; he therefore directed the steps of Ahubal to 
a cave in the mountains, where, fatigued with flight, 
and fearful of pursuit, the royal rebel arrived in the 
heat of the day. The cave was, for the most part, 
surrounded by steep mountains, and at a great dis- 
tance from any track or path, and was situated at 
the entrance of a long valley, which led among the 
mountains. Ahubal, having slept and refreshed 
himself in the cave, pursued his journey through 
the valley, till he found his path stopped by inac- 
cessible rocks, on the top of which he perceived a 
magnificent castle, whose walls reflected the rays of 



1 66 TALES OF THE GENII. 

the sun like burnished gold. The brother of Misnar 
fixed^his eye for some time on that part of the 
castle which was shaded by the rest, for the front 
was too dazzling to behold ; and in a few moments 
he perceived a small wicket open, and a dwarf come 
forth. Ahubal soon lost sight of the dwarf behind 
the rocks; but he resolved to wait there, to see 
whether he could find any passage into the valley. 
The dwarf, after being hid for some time, appeared 
again about the middle of the rocks, and by his 
course seemed to descend in a spiral path round 
the mountain. When the dwarf had reached the 
bottom, he advanced to Ahubal, and presenting him 
with a clue, he told him, that if he threw it before 
him, and followed it, the clue would unravel itself, 
and discover to him the path which led up the 
rocks to the castle of Ollomand his master. Ahubal, 
having heard from Ulin and Happuck that Ollomand 
was his friend, took the clue out of the hand of the 
dwarf, and threw it before him. As the clue rolled 
onward, and touched the rocks, Ahubal discovered 
a regular ascent, which, winding round, brought 
him by degrees to the castle on the summit of the 
mountain. The enchanter Ollomand received Ahubal 
at the entrance of the castle, which was guarded by 
four dragons, and led him through $ large court into 
a spacious hall, the walls of which were lined with 
human bones that had been whitened in the sun. 

' Favourite of the race of the powerful,' said 
Ollomand, ' see here the bones of those who have 
lifted up their arms against thee ; and I will add 
to their number till this castle be filled.' 

' Alas,' answered Ahubal, ' Ulin is no more, and 
the vultures are preying on the vitals of Happuck ! ' 
Ten provinces have deserted my cause, and the 
coffers of my army are exhausted ! ' 

' Happuck,' answered Ollomand, ' despised the 



THE ENCHANTERS. 1 67 

assistance of riches, and trusted to deceit ; and 
therefore failed. The provinces dared not revolt 
while the armies of Misnar overawed them ; but I 
will replenish thy coffers, and Ollomand will tempt 
the leaders of the Sultan's troops to join the cause 
of Ahubal. In this castle are riches and arms 
sufficient to equip all the inhabitants of Asia ; and 
when these are exhausted, we will apply to Phare- 
sanen, Hypacusan, and all the chieftains of our 
race : and fear not, Ahubal ; for, by my art, I read 
that Misnar the Sultan shall fly before the face of 
his enemies.' 

Ahubal was encouraged by the words of Ollo- 
mand ; and the enchanter, having opened his design 
to the prince, invited him to behold the riches of 
his castle. 

Passing through the Hall of Bones, they de- 
scended into a square court, much more spacious 
than the former ; in the middle of which appeared 
a deep and dark pit. This court contained four 
hundred gates of massy brass, and each gate was sup- 
ported by nine enormous hinges of the same metal. 

As Ollomand the enchanter entered this court, 
with the prince Ahubal in his hand, he lifted up 
his voice, which echoed like thunder amidst the 
lofty turrets of the castle, and commanded his 
slaves to expose to the sight of Ahubal the trea- 
sures of their master. 

The prince Ahubal, who had seen no creature 
but the dwarf and the enchanter in the castle, 
wondered whence the slaves should come : but his 
wonder shortly was turned into fear, when he be- 
held a gigantic black, with a club of ebony forty 
feet in length, arise out of the pit, which was in 
the centre of the court. 

But if one was so terrifying, his horrors were 
beyond measure increased, when he perceived a 



1 68 TALES OF THE GENII. 

long succession of the same gigantic monsters, 
following one another out of the pit, and advancing 
to the four hundred brazen gates, till every gate 
had a slave standing before it. 

When Ollomand saw his slaves were all prepared 
before the gates, he bade them strike with their 
clubs of ebony against them. 

The black slaves, in obedience to the enchanter's 
orders, lifted up their ponderous clubs of ebony, 
and struck against the foar hundred gates, which 
jarred so much with the blows of the slaves, that 
Ahubal was forced to stop his ears, and was ready 
to sink into the earth with astonishment and dread. 

As soon as the black slaves of Ollomand had 
struck the four hundred gates of brass, the gates 
began to move, and the harsh creak and breaking 
of the hinges sent forth a noise, which alone had 
chilled the hearts of all the armies of Misnar, 
could they have heard them. 

This dismal and discordant jar continued till the 
gates were forced open by the hideous slaves. But 
the prince Ahubal was so stunned and stupified 
with the piercing sound, that he dared not look up, 
till Ollomand the enchanter, shaking him by the 
shoulders, bade him feast his eyes with the riches 
of his friend. 

Ahubal then lifting up his head, looked around 
the court, and saw the four hundred gates were 
opened. In those to the right, were millions of 
wedges of gold and silver, piled beneath craggy 
arches of huge unchiseled stone. Opposite to 
these he beheld a hundred vaulted roofs, under 
which were sacks and bags of the gold and silver 
coin of many nations. 

Before him, another hundred gates exposed to 
his view the arms and warlike accoutrements of 
ten thousand nations, and all the instruments of 



THE ENCHANTERS. 1 69 

death which the inventive malice of man had ever 
discovered. First, a rude heap of ponderous stones 
and the fragments of rocks ; next, sticks, staves, 
and knotty cluhs ; next to these, spears, darts, 
lances, and javelins, armed with brass or iron, or 
their points hardened by fire, and innumerable 
bows with quivers and arrows : after these, instru- 
ments of dubious use, originally designed for the 
assistance of men, but perverted, through cruelty 
and malice, to the service of slaughter and death ; 
such as knives, bodkins, axes, hammers : on these 
were heaped arms, deliberately fashioned for the 
offence of mankind ; swords, daggers, poniards, 
stilettos, hangers, scimitars, rapiers. In the fourth 
part of the court, which was behind Ahubal, were 
stored the more refined and destructive instruments 
of European war; the grenadoes, the firelock, the 
pistol, the musket, the blunderbuss, the culverin, 
the petard, the cannon, the howitzer, the bomb, the 
mortar, and their accursed food, bags of powder, 
balls of lead, and iron shells and carcasses. 

Ahubal, who understood but little of these in- 
struments, was amazed at their construction, and 
asked for what purposes those ghastly monsters of 
art were formed. 

' These,' said Ollomand, ' are the arms of Europe ; 
a part of the earth filled with industrious robbers, 
whose minds are hourly on the stretch to invent 
new plagues to torment each other. Of these 
mortals, many are settled on the sea-coasts of our 
southern provinces, whom I shall persuade, through 
the instigations of that god which they worship, to 
join the forces of Ahubal.' 

\ Hast thou, then, mighty enchanter,' answered 
the prince Ahubal, 'the gods of Europe in thy 
power ? ' 

' The Europeans,' said Ollomand, f acknowledge 



170 TALES OF THE GENII. 

one God, who, they pretend, doth inhabit the hea- 
vens, but whom we find buried in the entrails of 
the earth : gold, prince, is their god — for whose 
sake they will undertake the most daring enter- 
prises, and forsake the best of friends. To these 
shalt thou send presents, and future promises of 
wealth; and by their machinations, fear not but 
Misnar shall yield to thy superior address. 5 

' What need of the arms, or the persons of Euro- 
peans,' answered the prince Ahubal, ' while my 
friend has an army of such gigantic slaves, ten of 
whom are more than sufficient to destroy the puny 
armies of my brother the Sultan ? ' 

' Alas ! ' said Ollomancl, ' the slaves of enchant- 
ment cannot fight against the sons of the Faithful. 
Though we deny Mahoniet, and will not adore him, 
yet we cannot control a power that must overrule 
us. Were the world at our disposal, the mean wor- 
shippers of Alia should tremble at their fate. But, 
alas ! the curb of Mahomet galls our tongues ; the 
flesh of our lips is filled with rawness and foam; 
and our evil race must tremble, though it cannot 
relent. — But these are troublesome thoughts, and 
the provinces require our presence. As Misnar's 
troops are in possession of the country, we will 
transport ourselves to Orixa in the disguise of 
merchants, and there endeavour to forward the 
destruction of Misnar, the tame Sultan of the 
East. 5 

As Ollomand spake these words, he stamped 
with his feet, and a chariot, drawn by four dragons, 
arose from the pit in the centre of the court ; which 
Ahubal and the enchanter ascended, and were con- 
veyed in a dark cloud to the woods behind the 
city of Orixa. 

When Ollomand's chariot alighted on the ground, 
he touched the dragons with his wand, and they 



THE ENCHANTERS. IJI 

became four camels laden with merchandize, and the 
chariot was converted into an elephant. Ahubal 
became like a merchant, and the enchanter appeared 
as a black slave. They entered the town in the 
evening, and the next morning exposed their goods 
in the market-place. The bales of Ahubal, the 
sham merchant, being opened, were found to con- 
tain chiefly materials for clothing the officers of 
the army. The troops of Misnar, hearing this, 
were his chief customers ; and as Ahubal sold his 
wares very cheap, he soon got acquainted with all 
the officers at Orixa. 

In all his conversations with them, the enchanter 
had directed Ahubal to lament the small salaries 
which the army were allowed : this was a subject 
all agreed in, and soon led to more lucrative offers, 
if they would embrace the cause of Ahubal. The 
officers, who were, for the most part, soldiers for 
the sake of pay and plunder rather than duty and 
honour, soon came into the sham merchant's pro- 
posal ; and, in ten days, Ahubal found himself in 
a condition to recover the province of Orixa. 

The young prince, fired with his success, was 
about to discover himself ; but the enchanter 
checked his ardour, and besought him to consider 
how many more provinces must be gained before 
he could make head against his brother. The 
advice of Ollomand prevailed with the prince ; and 
they sent some of those officers who were strongest 
in their interest into the different provinces of the 
south, to corrupt the minds of the commanders. 
As there was no want of money and bribery, so an 
easier conquest was made over the loyalty of the 
troops than could have been made over their prowess 
by swords. 

In a few moons all the v southern provinces were 
ripe for a revolt ; and the troops who were sent to 



172 TALES OF THE GENII. 

overawe them were most desirous of opening the 
campaign against the Sultan. Two hundred French 
engineers were also invited, hy large rewards, to 
join the armies of Ahuhal : and the troops were 
supplied by the vigilance of the enchanter OHo- 
mand. On a fixed day, all the armies of the pro- 
vinces were in motion, and all unfurled the standard 
of Ahubal ; the provinces were invited to rebel, 
and thousands were daily added to the troops of 
the prince. Tidings of these alterations were sent 
to Delhi, by the few friends of the Sultan who 
remained in those parts; and Horam the vizier 
laid before his master the dreadful news of a gene- 
ral revolt, both of his troops and provinces in the 
south. 

' The enemies of Misnar,' said the Sultan, as 
the vizier Horam had ended his report, ' are many ; 
and one only is his friend ! ' 

Horam bowed low at his master's words. 

' Faithful Horam,' said the Sultan, ' I honour 
and esteem thee ; but think not I prefer my vizier 
to my God : no, Horam ; Alia alone is the friend of 
Misnar ; a friend more mighty than the armies of 
Ahubal, or the sorceries of the enchanters.' 

Misnar then assembled his troops ; and put- 
ting himself at their head, he marched, by easy 
marches, toward the southern frontiers of his 
dominions. 

The armies of Ahubal continued to increase, 
and Cambaya acknowledged him for its sultan. 
In a short time, he arrived with his forces at 
Narvar, and encamped within seven leagues of 
the army of Misnar the Sultan. Ollomand the 
enchanter, notwithstanding Ahubal had thrown off 
the disguise of a merchant, still attended him as 
a black slave, being always about his person ; till 
the freedom which the prince allowed him was 



THE ENCHANTERS. 1 73 

resented by the officers of his army. This the 
enchanter perceived; and, therefore, he desired 
Ahubal would grant him five thousand of his 
troops, and the European engineers, that he might 
advance before the main army, and signalize him- 
self by a blow which he meditated to give the 
enemy. The counsel of Ollomand was never 
opposed by Ahubal: the prince commanded the 
troops to attend Ollomand, and be subject unto 
him. 

The enchanter then marched with his selected 
troops into a thick wood, which the army of Misnar 
must pass, ere they could oppose their enemies : 
and in this wood the engines of European war 
were placed, to command every avenue that had 
been hewn out by the troops of the Sultan. Ol- 
lomand, marching by night, surprised all the 
advanced guards of the Sultan, and possessed 
himself of the wood ; where he placed the Euro- 
pean engineers, before the sun could penetrate 
through the branches of the forest of Narvar. 
This enterprise had ruined all the hopes of the 
Sultan, who proposed to march his army through 
the next day, if the Europeans had continued 
faithful to Ahubal and his party : but one, favoured 
by the darkness of the night, escaped, and be- 
trayed the whole design to the Sultan. 

Misnar was no sooner apprised of the enchanter's 
contrivance than he ordered certain of his troops 
to climb over the mountains to the right of the 
wood, and, if possible, to gain the opposite side ; 
and there, in several parts, to set the wood on 
fire. This was so successfully executed by the 
soldiers, that, as soon as Ollomand was possessed 
of the wood, he perceived it was on fire, and had 
made a separation between him and the army of 
Ahubal. 



174 TALES OF THE GENII. 

In this distress, the enchanter resolved to dis- 
pose of his troops and engineers in the most 
advantageous manner, proposing in his mind to 
secure his own retreat by the power of enchant- 
ment. But while the subtile enchanter was di- 
recting his engineers in the rear to bring up the 
fell engines of war, one of the cannon which was 
left in the wood (the flames having obliged those 
who belonged to it to retreat) being made hot by the 
raging fires in the wood, discharged its contents, 
and the ball, striking the enchanter, carried with 
it the head of Ollomand toward the camp of the 
Sultan. This occurrence threw the troops in the 
wood into the utmost confusion, and many fled 
to the Sultan's camp, declaring the loss of their 
leader; and the rest resolved rather to submit, 
than perish by the sword or by fire. 

The flames of the wood, which arose between 
the armies of Misnar and Ahubal, soon disturbed 
the peace of the rebel prince. At first, indeed, 
he hoped Ollomand had enclosed his brother's 
troops, and was consuming them by his fires. 
But no despatch arriving from his friend, filled 
Ahubal with just fears, which were greatly in- 
creased, as, in a few days, the fire decreasing, 
and having opened a passage through the wood, 
he was informed by his spies that the armies of 
Misnar were approaching. The prince Ahubal, 
having lost his friend the enchanter, was fearful 
of the event, and wished to fly ; but his generals, 
being rebels, and fearing their fate if they should 
be taken, resolved to conquer or die ; and Ahubal 
was constrained against his will to put his army in 
a state of defence. 

The Sultan, supposing his brother's army would 
be disheartened at the loss of the enchanter, was 
studious of giving them battle before they had 



THE ENCHANTERS. 1 75 

recovered their consternation ; and therefore led 
on his troops with great impetuosity toward the 
front of the rebel army, while the vizier Horam, 
covered by the main body of Misnar's army, en- 
deavoured to gain the right flank of the enemy. 

And now the adverse elephants made the sandy 
plains shake as they advanced, and from the huge 
turrets on their backs ten thousand hostile arrows 
were discharged ; the loud hollow cymbals sounded 
the alarm, and the air groaned with the weight of 
the winged weapons ! The troops of the Sultan 
advanced with confidence, and the rebellious sup- 
porters of Ahubal rushed forward with resolute 
despair. Innumerable scimitars blazed fearfully 
over the heads of the warlike. The feet of the 
elephants were stained with death, and the blood 
of the slain was as the rivers of Arzar. But the 
troops of Misnar were flushed with hope, and fear 
and dismay were in the paths of Ahubal. The 
prince himself, in confusion, sounded the retreat ; 
and the backs of his troops were already exposed 
to the darts of the Sultan ; — when the swarthy 
enchanter Tasnar appeared in the air, seated on a 
rapacious vulture. 

* Base cowards ! ' exclaimed he, as he hovered 
aloft in the air, ' turn and fear not, while Tasnar 
is your friend. The troops of the Sultan are ex- 
hausted and* fatigued, and you are flying from 
those who are destined for your prey. Are then 
the riches of Delhi to be so easily resigned, and 
your tedious marches over the deserts to be foiled 
by a moment's fear? Even now is India offered 
as the reward of your toils ; and you prefer shame 
and ignominy to glory and honour ! ' 

The troops of Ahubal hearing these words, and 
being encouraged by a sight so wonderful, for a 
time stood still, irresolute what to do ; till Tasnar, 



176 TALES OF THE GENII. 

alighting on the ground, and seizing a javelin, 
bade the brave support and defend the avenger 
of their wrongs. 

The Sultan's army, finding their enemies re- 
treat, had followed them in a tumultuous manner, 
and were therefore less able to resist the enchanter 
Tasnar, and those who supported him. And they 
had experienced the truth of the enchanter's as- 
sertion, had not the vizier Horam, perceiving their 
resistance, hastened with a few chosen troops to 
the rescue of his friends. 

The battle, though not so general as before, was 
nevertheless much fiercer ; and Tasnar and Horam 
met face to face. The vizier aimed in vain his 
scimitar at the head of the enchanter, and Tasnar 
found a superior arm withhold him when he at- 
tempted to demolish the faithful vizier. But this 
prevented not the general slaughter that ensued ; 
till night, which recruits the wasted strength of 
man, divided the armies of Misnar and Ahubal. 

After the retreat of the two contending armies, 
the vizier Horam attended the Sultan in the royal 
pavilion, and informed him of the descent of the 
enchanter Tasnar, and his prowess in the field. 

1 Alas ! ' answered Misnar, ' it is in vain, Horam, 
that the sword is uplifted against the power of en- 
chantment, so long as these magicians are prepared 
against our attacks ; we must surprise them, or we 
cannot prevail. Tasnar is joined to my faithless 
brother Ahubal : there is in my camp, doubtless, 
some trusty slave, who, under appearance of be- 
traying my cause, may penetrate into the camp of 
Ahubal, and destroy this enchanter while he sleeps 
in security ; and Horam my vizier must find that 
slave ere the sun beholds the blood of Asia, which 
defiles the plains of my kingdom.' 

Horam bowed, and went out of the presence of 



THE ENCHANTERS. 1 77 

the Sultan in great distress of heart. ' Where,' 
said he to himself, * can the mighty find a trusty- 
friend? or what slave will he faithful to his master 
that has rohhed him of his liberty ? Better had I 
perished by the hand of Tasnar than be betrayed 
through the wickedness of my servants ! ' 

The vizier, doubtful where to apply, or whom to 
trust, returned to his tent ; where he found an old 
female slave, who waited to deliver a message from 
his seraglio, which was kept in a tent adjoining to 
his own. 

Horam, not regarding her presence, threw him- 
self on his sofa, and bemoaned his fate in being 
commanded to find a trusty slave. The female 
slave, who saw her master's tears, threw herself at 
his feet, and called Alia to witness that she had 
always served him faithfully, and was ready to sacri- 
fice her life for his pleasure. 

Horam was rather more distressed than alle- 
viated by her protestations. — 'What art thou?' 
said he to her sternly, ' a poor decrepit woman ! 
and canst thou go forth and combat the enchant- 
ments of Tasnar, the enemy of thy master's 
peace?' 

' The locust and the worm/ said the female 
slave, 'are the instruments of Alla's vengeance 
on the mighty ones of the earth; and Mahomet 
can make even my weakness subservient to the 
cause of my lord.' 

' And how wilt thou prevail against Ahubal the 
prince, and Tasnar the magician?' said Horam, 
careless of what he spoke. 

'I will go,' answered the female slave, ' into the 
camp of Ahubal ; and I will engage to poison my 
master the vizier, and Misnar, the lord of our 
lives, as I stand before them to minister unto 
them the pleasing draught. And while Tasnar 
N 



178 TALES OF THE GENII. 

is intent on hearing my proposals, the steel of 
death shall suddenly search out the vile enchanter's 
heart.' 

' But, knowest thou not,' said Horam, ' that 
death will he the consequence of this rash deed?' 

'My lord,' answered the slave, 'I was, when 
young, bred up in the caves of Denraddin, and 
was taught by a sage to know what should happen 
to me in future times : and the sage read in the 
stars of heaven, that by my means should the 
Sultan of India be delivered from the enemy that 
oppressed him.' 

The vizier was rejoiced at the assurances of his 
female slave, and bade her prepare herself to 
appear before the Sultan. The slave, putting on 
her veil, followed the vizier Horam, and was in- 
troduced to the tent of Misnar. 

' What,' said the Sultan, as he saw the vizier 
enter with the female slave,, 'what new kind of 
warrior has Horam brought me ?' 

' Light of mine eyes ! ' answered the vizier, 
' behold a woman who is desirous of executing 
thy commands. This slave assures me, that the 
sages of the caves of Denraddin have read in the 
stars of heaven, that by her means the Sultan 
of India should be delivered from the enemy that 
oppressed him.' 

' Then,' said the Sultan, ' let her go ; and may 
the Prophet of the Faithful guide her footsteps in 
safety and security! I am assured that Horam 
would not consent to an enterprise that was foolish 
and weak ; and to his direction I leave the fate of 
this trusty female.' 

The slave then fell prostrate, and besought the 
Sultan to give her some of his writings and 
mandates, that she might pretend she had stolen 
them from his tent, with a design to carry and lay 



THE ENCHANTERS. 1 79 

them at the feet of Tasnar and Ahubal. The 
Sultan approved of her scheme, and ordered 
several mandates to be written and signed relative 
to the motions of the army the next day, which 
were quite contrary to the real disposition he 
intended to give out. 

The female slave being furnished with these, 
and being conducted by the vizier to the outskirts 
of the Sultan's army, walked forward till she was 
challenged by the sentinels of Ahubal, who seized 
upon and carried her to their commander. The 
commander, fearful of deceit, at first satisfied 
himself that she was really a female slave, and 
then asked her what brought her alone out of the 
camp of the Sultan ? * Bring me,' said she, 
1 before your prince ; for I have things to deliver 
up to him that will be of service to his army.' 

The commander then sent her with the guard 
to the pavilion of Ahubal, where that prince and 
the enchanter Tasnar were consulting in private 
together. 

As soon as the female slave had gained admit- 
tance, she fell prostrate at the feet of Ahubal; 
which Tasnar observing, commanded the guards 
to seize her. — * Let us see,' said the enchanter, 
' what service this slave can do us, before she is 
trusted so near our persons.' 

The female slave, being secured by the guards, 
was doubtful how to behave. 

• I like not that confusion," said the enchanter ; 
' have you, base slave, aught to reveal to us, or 
are you sent as a spy to betray the councils of the 
brave?' 

* I have,' said the female slave (somewhat re- 
covered from her surprise), ' papers and mandates 
of great consequence, which I have stolen from 
the tent of the Sultan ; and I bring them to the 

N2 



l80 TALES OF THE GENII. 

prince Ahubal, the lord of all the hearts of the 
Indian empire.' 

The slave then produced her mandates, and the 
guards laid them at the feet of Ahubal. The 
prince Ahubal, having read the papers, gave them 
to Tasnar, saying, — ' These are indeed valuable 
acquisitions; and the female slave that brought 
them is worthy of high honour and reward.' 

The slave, hearing this encomium, bowed down 
her head ; for the guards who held her prevented 
her falling prostrate. 

'Mighty son of Dabulcombar,' said the en- 
chanter, ' let the guards carry her forth, till we 
consult what reward she shall receive.' 

As soon as the female slave was carried out : — 
■ My prince,' said Tasnar, ' it is indeed politic to 
confer rewards on those who serve us ; and there- 
fore it is sometimes necessary to do it, that the 
silly birds may be the better entangled in the 
snares of state : but when we can better serve 
our ends by their destruction than by their safety, 
it is but just that we should do it. This slave has 
already risked her life for our service, and there- 
fore she will doubtless be ready to lay it down, if 
we require it.' 

As the enchanter said this, he called one of the 
guards, and commanded him to bring in the 
female slave and the bow-string. The female 
slave approached, being still held by the guards. 

' Kind slave,' said the enchanter, ' you have 
already served us much ; there is one thing more 
that we require : let the slaves fit the bow-string 
to thy neck, and let thy last breath be sent forth 
in praise of thy lord Ahubal.' 

The slaves of Ahubal then put upon the wretched 
female the deadly bow-string, and strangled her 
instantly. After which they retired, leaving the 



THE ENCHANTERS. ]8l 

dead body of the female slave on the floor of the 
tent. 

1 What hast thou done, Tasnar ?' said Ahubal, 
astonished at the deed. 

' I suspect,' said the enchanter, ' that this fe- 
male was sent on a vile errand ; and see here/ 
continued he, searching her garments, ' is the wea- 
pon of death ! ' 

So saying, he drew a dagger from her bosom, 
which she had concealed with a design of stabbing 
the enchanter. 

c Prudent Tasnar,' said the prince, ' 1 admire 
thy foresight : but of what use is this murdered 
slave now to us?' 

' The disguise of this slave,' answered the en- 
chanter, ' will introduce me into the camp of the 
Sultan, and, I hope, will give me an opportunity 
of reaching his heart with that steel which he 
designed for mine. — But no time must be lost ; the 
morning will, ere long, disclose its grey light in 
the east.' 

The enchanter then put on the garments of the 
murdered female slave, and, stroking his face, it 
became as hers ; so that Ahubal could scarcely 
believe but the slave was revived. He cut off also 
the head of the female slave, and anointing it with 
a white ointment, it became like his own. Thus 
equipped, the commander of the advanced guard 
conducted him to the foremost sentinels of the 
rebel army. 

The disguised enchanter soon reached the camp 
of the Sultan ; and the sentinels, imagining it was 
the same female slave whom Horam had led through 
their ranks in the former part of the night, suf- 
fered him to pass. 

In a short time he reached the royal pavilion, 
and demanded admittance. The vizier Horam, 



1 82 TALES OF THE GENII. 

who was there in waiting, heard, as he supposed, 
the voice of his female slave ; and went out to 
bring her before the Sultan. 

' My slave,' said Horam, as he saw the disguised 
enchanter, * hast thou succeeded ; and is Tasnar, 
the foe of the Faithful, dead?' 

' Bring me before the Sultan,' said the pretended 
slave, ■ that my lord may first behold the head of 
his foe.' 

The vizier then led the disguised enchanter in- 
to the pavilion, where the Sultan Misnar, being 
warned of her approach, was seated on his throne. 

As the enchanter approached, he held a dagger 
in one hand, which w r as covered by a long sleeve, 
and in the other he bore the fictitious head. — And 
now the fictitious female was about to ascend the 
steps of the throne, when the vizier commanded 
her first to fall prostrate before the Sultan. 

The sham female slave did as she was ordered, 
and the vizier, seeing her prostrate, fell upon her, 
and slew her with his sabre. 

' What hast thou done, wretched vizier ? ' said 
the Sultan : ' has envy thus rashly stirred thee up 
against my faithful slave, that — ? ' 

The Sultan had probably continued his invective 
against his vizier much longer, had he not beheld 
the corse of the dead enchanter change its appear- 
ance ; and found that Horam, by the sudden de- 
struction of Tasnar, had but just preserved his 
own life. At the sight of this transformation 
Misnar descended from his throne, and closely 
embraced his vizier Horam. 

* Horam, forgive my impetuous temper,' said 
the Sultan ; ' how have I blamed my friend for 
doing that which alone could have saved my life ! 
But by what means did my faithful vizier become 
acquainted with the disguise of this wicked en- 



THE ENCHANTERS. 1 83 

chanter, or how did he discover himself to thy 
watchful eye ? ' 

' Lord of my heart,' answered Horam, l when I 
carried my poor female slave through the camp 
(whose fate may he learned by this ghastly head 
before us), I bade her, when she returned and saw 
me, first repeat these words in my ear : — ' Alia is 
Lord of Heaven, Mahomet is his prophet, and 
Misnar is the vicegerent upon earth.' — And this 
precaution I took, fearful lest Tasnar, discovering 
our design, should invent this method of revenge. 
Wherefore, when the pretended slave was brought 
before me, and she repeated not the words that I 
had taught her, I was assured that it was the en- 
chanter in disguise, and waited, till, by prostrating 
himself before my lord, he gave me an opportunity 
of destroying the life of the chief of thine enemies.' 

The Sultan of India again embraced his faithful 
vizier ; and as soon as the eye of morn was opened 
in the east, the armies of Ahubal beheld the en- 
chanter Tasnar's head fixed on a pole, in the front 
of the Sultan's army. 

The prince Ahubal, rising with the earliest dawn 
of the morning, went forward to the front of his 
troops, and there, at a small distance, he saw the 
hideous features of the enchanter Tasnar already 
blackening in the sun. Fear immediately took 
possession of his soul ; and he ran, with tears in 
his eyes, and hid himself, till the sun went down, 
in his pavilion. 

The vizier Horam, perceiving the approach of 
heaven's everlasting lamp, would have led on the 
Sultan's troops to a second attack; but Misnar 
commanded him to forbear, that his army might 
rest one day after their fatigues. 

The great distress of the enchanters, and their 
unexpected deaths, alarmed the rest of that wicked 



184 TALES OF THE GENII. 

race : and Ahaback and Desra, seeing that no one 
enchanter had succeeded against the Sultan, re- 
solved to join their forces ; and while one led a 
powerful army to Ahubal' s assistance from the 
east, the other raised the storms of war and re- 
bellion on the western confines of the Sultan's 
empire. 

In the mean time, the two armies of the Sultan 
and Ahubal continued inactive, till an express ar- 
rived, that Ahaback was leading the strength of 
nine thousand squadrons against their Sultan, and 
that Desra was travelling over the plains of Em- 
bracan with three thousand elephants and a hundred 
thousand troops collected from the western pro- 
vinces. 

The Sultan instantly resolved to attack Ahubal 
before these succours could arrive ; but the vizier 
Horam fell at his feet, and besought him not 
to hazard his army, but rather to recruit and 
strengthen it. 

This advice, though quite contrary to the opinion 
of Misnar, was yet so strongly urged by the vizier, 
that the Sultan gave up his better judgment to 
the opinion of Horam. And, when every one ex- 
pected to be called forth to action, the vizier gave 
orders in the camp for recruits to be sought after, 
and went himself to the north of Delhi, to raise a 
second army for his master's service. 

The troops of Ahubal, finding themselves free 
from the attacks of the Sultan's army, endeavoured 
to comfort their prince, who was grieved and de- 
jected at the loss of his friends : and the pro- 
vinces of the south, to dissipate his gloom, besought 
him to permit them to raise a pavilion worthy of 
his dignity, as heretofore he contented himself with 
such as his generals made use of. 

The prince Ahubal, who by nature was not 



THE ENCHANTERS. 1 85 

formed for war or contest, but only stirred up by 
the enchanters to be their tool against the Sultan 
his brother, was easily persuaded to accept of the 
offers of his troops ; and a hundred curious arti- 
sans were set to work to contrive and erect a sump- 
tuous pavilion for the use of the prince. To these 
workmen, all the provinces who acknowledged the 
authority of Ahubal, sent diamonds and jewels, 
and rich silks, and all the costly materials of the 
world, to finish the splendid pavilion which they 
purposed to raise for their prince. 

While the sumptuous tent was raising, the squad- 
rons of Ahaback drew nearer and nearer, and the 
elephants of Desra were within thirty days of the 
camp of Ahubal. The vizier Horam, being returned 
with his reinforcements, waited on the Sultan, and 
besought him to trust the management of his army 
to him for forty days. 

' Horam,' said the Sultan, ' I have such con- 
fidence in thy sense and thy loyalty, that I grant 
thy request.' 

The vizier, having obtained his end, sent a 
messenger to Ahubal, and desired forty days' truce 
might exist between the armies : which the prince 
readily agreed to. In a few hours the truce was 
proclaimed in the Sultan's camp : and when Misnar 
hoped that his vizier would have attacked the rebel 
army with a force more than double their number, 
he heard the trumpets sound a truce in the tents. 
Such a behaviour, so contrary to reason, alarmed 
the Sultan, and he sent for the vizier Horam, and 
demanded his reasons for making a truce with his 
enemies. 

* My lord,' answered Horam, ' I have heard that 
the southern provinces are erecting a pavilion for 
your rebel brother Ahubal, which in splendour and 
magnificence is to surpass all the glories of thy 



1 86 TALES OF THE GENII. 

palace at Delhi ; and being convinced that thy sub- 
jects are led more by show and appearance than by 
duty and honour, I feared that Ahubal's glorious 
pavilion might draw the neighbouring cities into 
his encampment, and thereby strengthen his army, 
and weaken the resources of my prince. For this 
reason, I besought my lord to give me the command 
of his army for forty days ; in which space I pur- 
pose to build thee such a pavilion as shall far out- 
shine in splendour every glory upon earth.' 

' Horam,' answered the Sultan, ' I have put all 
things into thine hands ; but let me beseech thee 
to be careful of thy master.' 

The vizier Horam, leaving the Sultan, sent to 
Delhi- for workmen and artificers, and ordering a 
large spot to be inclosed, that none might behold 
his pavilion till it was completed, he carried on the 
work with great care and assiduity. While these 
works of peace, rather than of war, were carrying 
on in the two armies of Misnar and Ahubal, the 
reinforcements of Ahaback and Desra arrived : and 
the captains in the Sultan's army hearing of the 
great addition which was made to the rebel army, 
while the vizier was spending his time with his 
curious workmen, petitioned the Sultan, that one 
might be put over them who loved war, rather than 
the amusement of females and children. 

The Sultan, who thought, with his captains, that 
Horam was rather betraying than forwarding his 
cause, commanded the vizier to be brought before 
him, and in the presence of the captains asked him 
why he delayed to lead his troops against the rebel 
army ? The vizier Horam made no answer to the 
Sultan's question, but desired his lord to bring the 
captains toward the pavilion which he had erected. 
As soon as the Sultan appeared before the inclosure, 
several slaves behind were employed to remove it, 



THE ENCHANTERS. 187 

so that in an instant Misnar and his captains beheld 
the most magnificent spectacle that art could achieve. 
The sight of the pavilion was highly acceptable to 
the army of the Sultan, but the captains justly con- 
demned a performance which had without cause 
wasted the greatest part of the coffers of India. 

The pavilion was situated at one extremity of the 
Sultan's army, at a small distance from a rocky 
mountain, and surrounded by a grove of palm trees, 
part of which had been cut down by the vizier's 
order, to admit the air and light among the rest. 
It was composed of crimson velvet, embroidered 
round with flowers and festoons of silver and gold; 
and in the body was worked, in golden tissue, the 
deaths of the enchanters Ulin, Happuck, Ollomand, 
and Tasnar. The pavilion stood upon a carpet of 
cloth of gold, and within side w T as supported by 
four massy pillars of burnished gold ; the ceiling 
of the canopy within was studded with jewels and 
diamonds ; and under it were placed two sofas of 
the richest workmanship. 

The Sultan, though much averse to such page- 
antry, was yet persuaded by his vizier to sleep in 
his new pavilion, and the glorious appearance which 
it made brought thousands to view the magnificent 
abode of their Sultan. 

The account of this splendid tent soon reached 
Ahubal's army, an<J every one extolled the glorious 
pavilion, so that Ahubal's tent seemed as nothing 
in comparison of the Sultan's. Ahaback and Desra, 
who were in the prince's pavilion, hearing the ac- 
count, resolved to go invisibly and examine it ; and 
leaving the prince, and putting each a ring on their 
fingers, they passed the sentinels and watches of 
both armies. But if the sight of the pavilion filled 
them with malice and envy, the histories of their 
brethren's deaths increased that malice and urged 



l88 TALES OF THE GENII. 

them to revenge. They returned hastily to Ahubal's 
pavilion, and related to him what they had seen. 
Ahubal's heart rankled at their account, and his 
visage fell, to hear how much his brother had out- 
done him in magnificence. 

' Get me a tent more splendid than the Sultan's/ 
said he to the enchanters, ' or disband your armies, 
and leave me to my fate.' 

' My prince/ answered Ahaback, ' let not such a 
trifle discompose you. It is true, we could, in a 
moment, erect a pavilion more magnificent than 
the Sultan's ; but it will be more glorious to dis- 
possess him of that which he has built, and to set 
my prince upon the throne of his father : for which 
purpose let the trumpet sound on the morrow ; the 
truce is at an end, or, if it were not, we mean not to 
keep our faith with an usurper ; and ere the Sultan 
be prepared, let us fall upon him : who knows but we 
may sleep to-morrow night in this pavilion which 
now causes our uneasiness ? ' 

The counsel of Ahaback pleased both Desra and 
Ahubal; and they gave orders for the troops to 
march in the morning, and attack the army of the 
Sultan. 

The forces of Misnar were sleeping in their tents, 
when the alarm was spread that the enemy were 
upon them. The vizier Horam arose in haste, and 
put himself at the head of the army ; but, instead 
of leading them towards their enemies, he fled off 
to the right with the choicest of the troops, and 
took possession of a pass in the mountains behind 
the pavilion, whence he sent a messenger to the 
Sultan, that he had secured him a retreat, in case 
the armies of Ahubal should conquer. 

The Sultan, being at the extremity of his army, 
knew not of the confused attack, till it was too late 
to redeem his lost opportunity. He collected his 



THE ENCHANTERS. 189 

scattered troops, and led them toward the enemy, 
at the same time sending a message to Horam to 
leave the mountains and support him. 

The captains and officers that followed Misnar 
behaved with great resolution and intrepidity, and 
the Sultan exposed himself frequently to the darts 
and missile weapons of his enemies, till, over- 
powered by numbers, and his own troops on all 
sides giving way, through the confusion which pre- 
vailed, he was forced to make to the mountains, 
where his vizier still continued, though he had 
received the Sultan's commands to the contrary. 

The troops of Ahubal pursued the Sultan's scat- 
tered forces to the mountains, where the vizier's 
troops opened to receive their friends, and then 
opposed the rebels, who were faint with the fatigues 
of the day. After a great slaughter, the rebels 
were forced to give over, and returned to the en- 
campment of the Sultan, whence they loaded 
themselves with the spoils of their enemies. 

Ahaback and Desra were greatly elated at their 
success ; and Ahubal, in one day, found himself 
master of India, his brother defeated, • and his 
gaudy pavilion wrested from him. 

Ahubal beheld with surprise the magnificence 
of the pavilion, and seeing the invidious work- 
manship on the outside, where the deaths of his 
former friends were displayed ; — 

* Ahaback and Desra,' said the prince, ' it is but 
just that ye should revenge yourselves on my 
proud brother. For my part I never can inhabit 
a pavilion that was meant to triumph over my 
friends ; but you may justly take up your abode 
here, that the nations may at once learn, when 
they see you in this pavilion, the former misfor- 
tunes of your brethren, and your present well- 
earned success : wherefore to-night, my friends, 



I90 TALES OF THE GENII. 

take up vour residence here, as this place is most 
worthy to hold you; and to-morrow I will order 
my workmen to remove the pavilion next my own.' 

The enchanters were pleased at the speech of 
Ahuhal, and the banquet was prepared for the 
conquerors in the gay pavilion of the unfortunate 
Sultan, while he remained among the mountains, 
wanting even the ^necessaries of life for himself 
and his army. 

But the Sultan's misfortunes did not make him 
forget the cause of them. He called a council of 
his captains, and commanded the vizier Horam 
to be brought before them. The vizier was con- 
demned by every voice ; and Misnar, with tears in 
his eyes, pronounced the sentence of death against 
him. 

1 To-morrow,' said the Sultan, ' must the ill- 
fated Horam be numbered with the dead.' 

Horam heard the sentence without emotion : — 
' My life,' said he, ' is in the hand of my lord, and 
he is welcome to the blood of his slave.' 

The vizier was then ordered into the custody of 
a hundred men, and a captain was appointed to 
guard him until the morning. 

The unfortunate Sultan then retired to rest in 
an obscure tent, or rather not to rest, but to an 
irksome contemplation. — * My kingdom,' said he, 
* is passed from me ; and, worse than my king- 
dom, my friend, my dearly beloved Horam, has 
proved a traitor to his master ! Were we not as 
the cedars of the forest, and grew together as 
the trees that are planted beside the rivers of 
Arvar? Our souls were as twin sisters, and our 
minds were like the stars Leman and Upnor, 
which twinkle not singly in the dead of night! 
The heart of Misnar was in the bosom of his 
friend ; it lay upon his bosom as the infant lieth 



THE ENCHANTERS. J9I 

in his mother's arms ; it smiled and was secure on 
the bosom of Horam.' — 

As the Sultan was filled with these meditations, 
his guards gave him notice that the captain who 
was set over the vizier had brought Horam to 
communicate an affair of moment to him. 

'Is there deceit in Horam,' said the Sultan, 
'that he cometh like a thief in the night? If 
Horam is false, farewell my life; let him that 
destroyed my kingdom complete his ingratitude, 
by finishing my fate ! ' 

The captain then entered the tent of his Sultan 
with Horam in chains. 

' Life of my life, and master of my thoughts,' 
said the vizier, c ere I die, I am constrained to 
show thee, among these mountains, far greater 
riches than are in thy palace at Delhi, or in the 
tents of thine enemies; riches that will restore 
thy affairs, and turn thy tears into showers of joy.' 

' Are not you satisfied,' said Misnar, ' ill-fated 
Horam, that you come to deceive me with new illu- 
sion ? Where is my kingdom ? where my royalty ? 
where my army ? By thy fatal counsels destroyed, 
overwhelmed, confounded! Now, then, lead the 
way, and let me see these curious treasures which 
are to recompense the loss of all my hopes.' 

The vizier, being in chains, moved but slowly ; 
and the captain of the guard, dismissing his men, 
drew his sabre, and held it naked over the head of 
the vizier. They passed over various rocks, and 
were obliged to wade through some small brooks 
or rivulets, which fell from the tops of the moun- 
tains ; till at length they arrived at a spacious 
cavern, which was formed by two pendent rocks. 
Here the vizier entered ; and lifting up his chains, 
knocked against a small door which was at the 
extremity of the cavern. In a moment the door 



I92 TALES OF THE GENII. 

opened, and four slaves came forward with flam- 
beaux in their hands. The slaves, seeing their 
master and the Sultan, fell prostrate ; and Horam 
inquired whether all was safe. 

' Yes, my lord,' answered the slaves ; ' we have 
not been disturbed since my lord first brought us 
to this gloomy cavern.' 

' Where is Camul ? ' said the vizier. 

* He watches,' replied the slaves, ' with the axe 
in his hand/ 

* What hour of the night is it ? ' said Horam to 
his slaves. 

' The third watch of the night is past,' answered 
the slaves. 

1 Then enter, my Sultan,' said Horam, e and see 
thine enemies perish from before thee.' 

* What enemies, and what mysterious place is 
this V said the Sultan. * Who is Camul, and what 
axe doth he bear in his hand ? Lead me, Horam, 
not into danger ; and remember that the sabre of 
my captain hangeth over thy head.' 

The Sultan then entered in at the little door, 
and followed the vizier and his guard, and the four 
slaves with flambeaux in their hands. In this 
manner the Sultan passed through a long passage 
hewn out of the solid rock, till he beheld at a dis- 
tance a man seated on a stone, with an axe in his 
hand, and nine lamps burning before him. As 
they drew near, the man fell prostrate before 
them: and the vizier also falling prostrate, de- 
sired Misnar to take the axe out of the hand of 
Camul, his slave. 

6 What wonderful axe is this,' said the Sultan, 
'that is thus preserved in the bowels of the 
earth?' 

The Sultan took the axe, and Camul the slave 
removing the stone on which he sat, there ap- 



THE ENCHANTEKS, I93 

peared a strong rope underneath, one end of 
which passed through the rocks, and the other 
was fastened to an enormous ring of iron. 

' Strike, royal master,' said Horam, ' and sever 
that rope from the ring of iron.' 

The Sultan did as Horam desired, and struck 
the rope with his axe, and divided it from the ring. 
The rope being released, new with great swiftness 
through the hole in the rock, and Misnar waited 
some time to see what might be the consequence of 
cutting it asunder : but nothing appearing, he said 
to his vizier, — 'Where are the riches, Horam, which 
I left my bed to view? Is this like the rest of 
your promises, and am I brought here to be again 
deceived ? ' 

' Koyal master,' answered Horam, ' let me die 
the death of a rebel : I have nothing more to dis- 
cover ; pardon my follies, and avenge thine own 
losses by the sword of justice.' 

' What ! ' said the Sultan, enraged, ' hast thou 
brought me through the dangerous passes of the 
mountains by night, only to cut a rope asunder? 
And was I called forth to see only a passage made 
in the rocks, and the slaves of Horam as ill em- 
ployed as their master lately has been? Lead 
me, villain,' continued he, ' back to my tent, and 
expect with the rising sun the fate you have so 
amply merited.' 

Thus saying, the Sultan returned, and the 
captain of the guard led Horam back in chains 
to his place of confinement. 

In the morning, the army of the Sultan Misnar, 
which had escaped to the mountains, were all 
drawn out, the cymbals sounded, and a gibbet, 
forty feet high, was erected in their front, to 
which the captain of the guard led the unfortunate 
vizier Horam. At the sound of the cymbals the 




194 TALES OF THE GENII, 

Sultan came from his tent, and gave orders that 
Horam should be led to his fate. 

The vizier, unmoved at his doom, surrendered 
himself to the officer who was to execute the sen- 
tence of the Sultan ; and the ignominious rope 
was put about his neck, when a messenger, at- 
tended by several sentinels, came running into the 
camp. 

The messenger hastened to the Sultan, and thus 
delivered his message : ' Ahaback and Desra, the 
wicked enchanters who have upholden thy rebel- 
lious brother, are dead ; the army of Ahubal is in 
the utmost consternation ; and the friends of the 
Sultan wish to see thee hunting thine enemies, as 
the lion hunts the wild asses in the forest.' 

This messenger was succeeded by several of the 
Sultan's spies, who confirmed the account. 

Misnar then put himself at the head of his 
troops, ordered Horam back to his former confine- 
ment, and hastened to fall upon the troops of the 
rebels. 

Early the same morning, the prince Ahubal was 
awakened by his guards, who, with countenances 
of woe, declared to him the death of his friends 
Ahaback and Desra. 

' Are my friends dead ! ' said Alrubal, trembling: 
' by what misfortune am I bereaved of them ? 
what new device has Misnar practised against 
them? Are not these wise and sage magicians, 
then, a match for a boy's prudence ? Alas ! what 
can I effect against him, when these fall away 
before his victorious arm?' 

* Prince,' answered the guards, ' we have too 
late discovered the wiles of our enemies. Over 
the magnificent pavilion of the Sultan, which 
Horam built for his master, the artful vizier had 
concealed a ponderous stone, which covered the 



THE ENCHANTERS. 1 95 

whole pavilion. This, by some secret means, lie 
contrived in the night to release from its confine- 
ment, while Ahaback and Desra were sleeping on 
the sofas beneath it ; and ere day began to arise, 
their guards were surprised by the fall, and ran to 
release their masters from the stone : but alas ! 
their bodies were crushed to atoms, and still re- 
main buried under the pavilion, as fifty of the 
strongest of thy troops were unable to remove the 
stone from the ground.' 

At these words the countenance and the heart 
of Ahubal sunk ; and ere he could recover, word 
was brought him, that the Sultan's troops were in 
the midst of his army, and that none dared stand 
against them, unless he approached to encourage 
them. 

Ahubal was so overwhelmed with fear and grief, 
that, instead of leading his troops, he prepared 
himself for flight ; and Misnar, pursuing his good 
fortune, was in a few hours in possession, not 
only of his own tents, but also of those of the 
enemy. 

Having gained a complete victory, and sent part 
of his troops after those that were fled, the Sultan 
commanded his vizier to be brought before him, 
and, in the sight of his army, asked him what 
merit he could challenge in the success of that 
day? 

* Glory of mine eyes, and light of my paths,' 
said Horam, ' the contrivances of thy slave had 
been useless, if a less than my Sultan had after- 
wards led his troops to the battle. Therefore 
thine only be the glory and the honour of the 
day: but my lord must know, that some time 
since, we were informed that the enchanters Aha- 
back and Desra were preparing to uphold thy 
rebellious brother; and well I knew that prudence, 
02 



I96 TALES OF THE GENII. 

and not force, must prevail against them. I there- 
fore besought my lord to grant me the chief com- 
mand for forty days, and neglected to take such 
advantages over Ahubal's troops as the captains of 
thy armies advised. This I did, knowing that 
any victory would be vain and fruitless if the en- 
chanters w r ere not involved in the ruin ; and that 
while they were safe, a second army would spring 
up as soon as the first was destroyed. For these 
reasons, I endeavoured to strengthen my Sultan's 
army, that when the reinforcements of Ah aback 
and Desra should arrive, their numbers might not 
prevail against us. 

'In the mean time, the sumptuous pavilion which 
was built for Ahubal inspired me with a device, 
which I hoped would put the enchanters in my 
power. 

' Studious that no one might interrupt or betray 
iny designs, I enclosed a place near the mountains, 
surrounded with trees, where I began to build a 
pavilion, which I gave out was erected in honour 
of my lord the Sultan : within this pavilion I 
concealed a massy stone, which was sawn out of 
the solid rock, and which, by the help of several 
engines, was hung upon four pillars of gold, and 
covered the whole pavilion. The rope which up- 
held this massy stone passed through one of the 
golden pillars into the earth beneath, and, by a 
secret channel cut in the rock, was carried onward 
through the side of the mountain, and was fastened 
to a ring of iron in a cave hollowed out of the rock 
on the opposite side. 

■ By the time the enchanters had arrived in the 
camp of Ahubal, the pavilion was finished : and 
although I had secret advice that my Sultan's 
troops were to be attacked on the morrow, yet 
I chose to conceal that knowledge, and so to 



THE ENCHANTERS. 197 

dispose of the army, that the chief part might fly 
with me behind the mountains which hung over 
the pavilion, and that the rest, having no con- 
ductor, might be put to flight with as little 
slaughter as possible. This I did, expecting that 
Ahaback and Desra, puffed up with their success, 
would take possession of my Sultan's pavilion.' 

' Eise, faithful Horam,' said the Sultan Misnar ; 
* your plot is sufficiently unravelled : but why did 
you hide your intentions from your lord ? ' 

' Lord of my life/ answered the vizier, c because 
I was resolved, in case my plot did not succeed, 
to bear the burthen myself, that my Sultan's 
honour might not be lessened in the eyes of his 
troops.' 

This noble confession of the vizier pleased the 
whole army ; and they waited with the utmost 
impatience to hear his pardon pronounced. The 
Sultan then embraced his vizier, and the shouts of 
the army were — ' Long live Misnar, the lord of our 
hearts, and Horam, the first and the most faithful 
of his slaves ! ' 

The army of Ahubal still continued to fly after 
their prince, whose fear did not suffer him to direct 
those who came up with him. And now, in a few 
days, the army had been totally dispersed, had not 
the Giant Kifri, enraged at the death of his breth- 
ren, and travelling, in his fury, appeared before the 
eyes of the terrified prince and his troops, in a 
narrow pass among the rocks. The presence of 
Kifri was not less terrifying than the noise of the 
pursuers ; and Ahubal, at the sight of the monster, 
fell with his face to the ground. 

'Who art thou,' said Kifri, with the voice of 
thunder, ' that fliest like the roebuck, and tremblest 
like the heart-stricken antelope ? Who art thou, 
that fliest as the virgin from the noise of the battle, 



I98 TALES OF THE GENII. 

and that increasest the shrieks of the fallen, being 
wounded by thy fears ? ' 

' Prince of earth,' said Ahubal, ' I am the friend 
of Ulin, of Happuck, of Ollomand, of Tasnar, of 
Ahaback and Desra. I am he who, through the 
power of the enchanters, have contended for the 
throne of India.' 

' Cursed, then, are they that league with thee/ 
answered the Giant Kifri, ' thou son of fear, thou 
wretch unworthy of such godlike support ! Was 
it for thee, base coward, that Ollomand poured 
forth his unnumbered stores; that the plains of 
India were dyed with the blood of Desra, the mis- 
tress of our race ? Be witness for me, earth ! this 
reptile is unworthy of our assistance ; and to fight 
for him is to league with Mahomet, to offer up the 
blood of freedom on the false altars of faith. O 
ye spirits of the brave, my soul is on fire to see so 
many of our friends lie stretched on the plains ! 
their blood, cursed and ill-fated coward, overwhelm 
thy head ! ' As Kifri spake thus, his broad eye- 
balls glowed like the red orb of day when covered 
with dark fleeting clouds, and from his nostrils 
issued forth the tempest and the flame. 

In an instant he seized on the fear-shaken Ahu- 
bal, as the vulture shuts within her bloody talons the 
body of the affrighted trembling hare ; and, lifting 
him high in the air, he dashed the wretched prince 
against the rugged face of the mountains. The 
blood of Ahubal ran down from the mountain's 
side like the rain which is poured forth out of the 
stormy cloud, and his mangled limbs, crushed by 
the fall, hung quivering on the pointed rocks. 

The death of Ahubal lessened not the fury of 
Kifri ; but all that followed the unhappy prince 
experienced his rage, till, glutted with blood, and 
tired of his revenge, the monstrous giant sunk to 



THE ENCHANTERS. I99 

rest, and stretched out his limbs upon the tops of 
the mountains. But the sleep of Kifri was cum- 
brous as his bod}', and the dreams of the giant 
were as the thoughts of the enemies of God. In 
the visions of the night came Ulin before him; 
and the ghost of the murdered Happuck was in 
the eye of his fancy. 

6 Enemy of our race,' said they, ' where is he 
who was to redeem our glory, and to revenge our 
blood ? Where is Ahubal, of whom the dark saying 
went forth, that none but our race could overpower 
him ? The dark saying is now interpreted by thy 
shameful deed, and the powers of enchantment are 
at an end ! ' 

The giant, disturbed at his visions, started up : 
the moon rode high above the mountains, and the 
trees of the forest looked broad with the shades of 
night. He cast his black eyes to the south, and 
saw the storm rolling forth in clouds ; the tempest 
gathered around him, and poured its fury against 
him. His long disordered locks streamed out like 
the shattered canvass of the shipwrecked vessel. 
The lofty pines rolled down the rocky precipices, 
and the fragments of the mountains tumbled in 
wild confusion at his feet. 

The eyeballs of Kifri, inflamed with anger and 
despair, appeared like two meteors in the storm ; 
he viewed the war of elements with contempt, and 
mocking Alia and Mahomet aloud, he said in a 
voice of thunder — ' Kifri will no longer live the 
slave of Alia upon earth, but will join his fate to 
the fate of Ollomand his brother.' 

So saying, the giant bent his body towards a huge 
rock whereon he had slept, and straining his tough 
sinews, tore up the mighty fragment from the 
ground. The earth felt the shock, and its dark 
entrails trembled; but Kifri, undismayed, threw 



200 TALES OF THE GENII. 

the wild ruin to the clouds. The labouring moun- 
tain returned quickly on the rebellious head of the 
giant, crushed him beneath its ponderous sub- 
stance, and finished, by its descent the life and the 
presumption of Kifri. The cities of India were 
shaken by its fall, and the ocean ran back from the 
shores of Asia : fear and dismay were on the in- 
habitants of the east, till Alia sent his sun on their 
borders, and enlightened the realms which his 
favourites inherit. 

The intelligence of Kifri's death was brought to 
the Sultan by one of the followers of Ahubal, who, 
at the first approach of the giant, had run from 
his presence, and hid himself in a caye in the 
rocks. 

' Horam,' said the Sultan, c our enemies are no 
more ; seven are destroyed, and one weak woman 
only remains : but since Kifri, the terror of Asia, 
has fallen a sacrifice to the cause of Ahubal, and 
since the rebel is himself destroyed, what has 
Misnar more to fear ? However, let our army be 
yet increased ; let trusty nabobs be sent into every 
province, and nothing omitted which may preserve 
the peace of my empire ; it is the part of prudence 
to watch most, where there is the least appearance 
of danger.' 

The vizier Horam obeyed his master's command ; 
and Misnar, having regulated his army, returned 
in triumph to Delhi, his capital. 

The Sultan, having restored peace to his king- 
dom, began to administer impartial justice to his 
subjects : and although the faith of Horam had 
been often tried, yet Misnar chose not to rely al- 
together on any but himself. 

' Vizier,' said the Sultan, as Horam was standing 
before him, ' are my people happy ? it is for them 
I rule, and not for myself; and though I take 



THE ENCHANTERS. 201 

pleasure in punishing the licentious and rebellious, 
yet shall I ever study to gain the hearts of my 
obedient subjects: a father's frown may restrain 
his children, but his smile only can bless them. 
Dost not thou remember, Horam r the story of Ma- 
houd, the son of the jeweller? And how am I 
sure, but even now private malice may be wreaking 
as great cruelty upon some innocent person, as the 
Princess Hemjunah suffered from the enchanter 
Bennaskar ! ' 

' My Prince,' answered the vizier, 'the toils and 
dangers of the war have never for a moment driven 
from my mind the memory of that Princess, who, 
with Mahoud, underwent the most odious trans- 
formation, through the power of Ulin.' 

c Nor have I,' answered the Sultan, ' forgot their 
distress ; but the cares of my empire have hitherto 
prevented my search after them. As to the Prin- 
cess, she is possibly with her father at Cassimir; 
but Mahoud is doubtless an inhabitant of Delhi, 
where he lived before his transformation : there- 
fore, vizier, give immediate orders that the re- 
spective cadies of each division of the city, who 
have the numbers and names of every inhabitant 
within their district, be questioned concerning this 
jeweller's son ; and let him to-morrow be brought 
before me.' 

The vizier Horam did as he was commanded, 
and sent for all the cadies of the city, and ex- 
amined them concerning Mahoud : but no one 
could give any account of him. 

The next morning Horam attended the divan, 
and acquainted the Sultan with his fruitless 
search. The Sultan was much dissatisfied at the 
vizier's report ; and after he had answered the 
petitioners and dismissed them, he sent again 
for his favourite vizier. 



202 TALES OF THE GENII. 

c Horam,' said the Sultan, ' my cadies are remiss 
in their duty ; Mahoud is certainly hid in my city : 
all is not right, Horam ; the poor son of the jewel- 
ler would be proud to own that he was formerly 
the companion of the Sultan of the Indies, though 
in his distress : he had long ere this been at the 
foot of my throne, did not somewhat prevent him.' 

6 Prince of my life,' answered the vizier, ' if 
Mahoud is in this city, he is doubtless disguised, 
and has reasons to conceal himself: and how shall 
thy officers of justice discover, among many mil- 
lions, one obscure person, who is studious to con- 
ceal himself ?' 

' In a well-regulated city,' answered the Sultan, 
{ every one is known ; and sound policy has al- 
ways invented such distinctions as may prevent 
the disguise of designing and wicked men. The 
man who cannot give a just account of himself is 
an enemy to society ; and it is no infringement on 
the freedom of the honest, to oblige them, by their 
dress and appearance, to show forth their manner 
of life. They only need to conceal their actions 
who are ashamed of their deeds ; and it behoves 
the magistrate to place such in the sight of all 
men. Secrecy and retirement are the handmaids 
of sin : and the prince who would prevent both 
private and public wrongs, should study to fix a 
mark of distinction on all his subjects ; for vil- 
lany loves the mask of hypocrisy, and evil-minded 
men affect the appearance of the sanctified. But, 
till my capital is better regulated, I mean to take 
advantage myself of the confusion of my city, 
and examine, in disguise, those private outrages 
which are screened from the public eye of jus- 
tice. Wherefore, Horam, procure two disguises 
for yourself and me ; and let the emir Matserak 
be sent ambassador to the Sultan of Cassimir, 



THE ENCHANTERS. 203 

to inquire after the welfare of the Princess 
Hemjunah.' 

The vizier, in obedience to the Sultan's orders, 
sent the habits of two fakirs into the palace ; and 
at evening the Sultan, accompanied by his vizier, 
went forth in his disguise. As they passed 
through the second street from the royal palace, 
one habited like a fakir, with his horn, saluted 
them, and asked them to partake of the alms 
he had received. The Sultan readily accepted 
his offer, lest the brother of his order should be 
offended. 

They immediately retired into a remote place, 
and the strange fakir pulling out the provision he 
had received, they began their repast. 

' Brother,' said the fakir to the disguised Sultan, 
' you are, I perceive, but a novice in your pro- 
fession ; you are neither so free nor so ready as 
I could wish; you have seen but little of life, 
and you would be puzzled, were you to encounter 
such wonders as I experienced but last night in 
my approach to this city.' 

' What,' answered the Sultan hastily, f were 
they ? Perhaps, brother, you mistake me ; pos- 
sibly though not so communicative as yourself, 
I may, nevertheless, be as brave and resolute.' 

' Alas ! ' answered the fakir, ' I begin to suspect 
that you are no true brother ; you know we are 
communicative among ourselves, but secret to the 
world about us. What severities have you prac- 
tised ? what scars of self-inflicted austerities have 
you to show? By the faith which I profess, I will 
hold no longer converse with you, unless you give 
me some convincing proofs of the genuineness of 
your profession ! ' 

Here the vizier, perceiving the Sultan to be hard 
pressed, interrupted the fakir, and said — ' holy 



204 TALES OF THE GENII. 

fakir, but stranger to our tribe, whence comest 
thou, that thou knowest not Elezren, the prince 
of devotees in the city of Delhi, to whom the 
emirs bow, and before whom the populace lie 
prostrate as he passes : thou art, indeed, but newly 
come to Delhi, since the fame of Elezren hath not 
been sounded in thine ears.' 

' Brother,' answered the fakir, 6 the fame of 
Elezren is not confined to Delhi alone, since all 
Asia receives him as a saint : but where are the 
silver marks of wisdom on his cheeks, and the 
furrows of affliction, which are deep wrought in the 
aged front of Elezren* the favourite of Heaven ? — 
No, young hypocrites, age and experience are not 
to be caught in the snares of youth, nor the saga- 
cious elephant in the toils of the unwise : but 
think not your idle presumption shall go unpun- 
ished, or that the holiness and purity of our caste 
shall be stained by the unhallowed mirth of a boy's 

folly.' 

At these words the fakir sprung from the ground, 
and, running into the streets, he made the air 
echo with his complaints. The mob, hearing that 
two young men had personated the appearance of 
the holy caste, crowded to the place where the 
Sultan and his vizier sat trembling at their own 
temerity, and were just about to tear them to 
pieces when the vizier, stepping forward to meet 
them* cried aloud — ' Slaves, presume not to ap- 
proach your Sultan ! for know that Misnar, the 
idol of his people, sits here disguised as a fakir.' 

Luckily for the Prince, several of the foremost 
were well acquainted with his features, or it is 
probable the mob would have looked upon the 
vizier's speech only as a device to prevent their 
fury. But when the fakir perceived the foremost 
of the crowd acknowledge Misnar as their Sultan, 



THE ENCHANTERS. 205 

and fall down before him, he endeavoured to 
escape. 

' My friends,' said the Sultan, ' secure that 
wretch, and suffer him not to escape; — and 
Horam,' said he turning to his vizier, * let him 
be confined in a dungeon this night, and to-mor- 
row brought before me in the divan of justice.' 

' The words of my lord,' answered Horam, ' are 
a law which cannot be changed. But let me be- 
seech my prince to retire from the crowd.' 

Misnar willingly did as Horam advised ; and the 
people made way for him to the palace, crying out, 
1 Long live Misnar, the pride of his slaves ! ' 

The Sultan being returned to his palace with 
his vizier ; — ' Horam,' said he, ' each man has 
his part in life allotted to him ; and the folly of 
those, who, leaving the right and regular path, 
strike into the mazes of their own unconnected 
fancy, is sufficiently seen from our adventure this 
day : wherefore I would have every man endeavour 
to fill his real character, and to shine in that, and 
not attempt what belongs to another, in which he 
can gain no credit, and runs a great hazard of 
disgrace. — But as the examination of this fakir in 
our public divan may rather increase than cover 
our shame, I would have him brought before me 
immediately, and with as little noise as possible. 
Alas ! Horam, since the follies of princes are so 
glaring, how cautious should we be in our deport- 
ment and behaviour ! ' 

The vizier obeying, went forth, and, in a short 
time, brought the fakir bound in chains before the 
Sultan. 

The fakir advanced to the presence of the Sultan, 
full of shame and fear, and, falling at his footstool, 
cried out, ' I call Mahomet to witness, I slew not 
the man in my wrath, but in mine own defence V 



206 TALES OF THE GENII. 

' What man ! ' said the Sultan, astonished at his 
words ; ' whom hast thou slain, wicked fakir, 
that thine own fears should turn evidence against 
thee?' 

' Alas ! ' answered the fakir, ' hear me, most 
injured lord; for the blood of my brother presseth 
me sore. As I journeyed yesterday, and was ar- 
rived within a league of the city of Delhi, I turned 
me towards a place walled round, which I sup- 
posed was the repository for the dead, and, find- 
ing the gate open, I entered into it, intending to 
shelter myself for a few minutes against the 
scorching sun. As I entered, I perceived at one 
end a stone sepulchre, whose mouth was opened, 
and the stone rolled from it. Surprised at the 
sight, I walked forward toward the vault, and 
heard within the voices of several persons, At 
this I was in doubt whether to proceed or retire, 
supposing that some robbers had taken up their 
residence there. In the midst of my confusion, a 
young man, with a turban hanging over his face, 
came out ; and seeing me, he drew his sabre, and 
made toward me to kill me. Whereupon I took 
up a large fragment of the wall which lay at my 
feet, and as he came forward, I threw it, and felled 
him to the ground ; then, running up, I snatched 
the sabre from his hand, and would have destroyed 
him ; but he cried out, saying — ' Take care what 
thou doest, rash man ; for it is not one, but two 
lives that thou takest away when thou destroyest 
me !' 

' Amazed and confounded, how it was possible 
for me to destroy two lives, by avenging myself 
on one wretch, who, without offence, had meditated 
my death, I stopped my hand; which the young 
man seeing, he aimed to pull the sabre out of my 
hand ; whereupon, avoiding his effort, and lifting 



. THE ENCHANTERS. 207 

up the sabre above his head, I, at one blow, severed 
it from his body. Immediately seeing the blood 
start from his veins, I ran out of the enclosure, 
fearing lest any one of his company should over- 
take me ; and flew till I reached the city of Delhi, 
where I subsisted that night and this day on the 
alms of the faithful, till I met my Sultan and his 
vizier in the habit of two fakirs.' 

' And what,' said the Sultan, c has made thee 
thine own accuser, since the life you shed was in 
your own defence ? ' 

' Pattern of the just ! ' answered the fakir, •" my 
revenge on the young man made me not sorrowful, 
as my conscience bears me witness I took not his 
life till necessity and mine own preservation re- 
quired it : but my mind is restless, because he 
said, I should take two lives away when I de- 
stroyed him; therefore I concluded that there was 
some mystery in his fate, or that he prophesied, 
in his last agonies, that his death should occasion 
mine.' 

' If thy tale is true,' continued the Sultan, ' his 
blood rests on his own head who was the aggressor : 
but the story is so very singular, that I shall 
detain thee till my vizier, and a party of sol- 
diers, be sent to search the enclosure you have 
mentioned.' 

The vizier then gave orders for the guard to 
mount their horses, and the curiosity of the Sultan 
was so great, that, although it was night, he re- 
solved to accompany the vizier. 

In a short time, the guard being drawn up, the 
Sultan and vizier mounted their coursers, and the 
fakir was carried between two of the guards to 
point out the scene of his encounter. 

The party being arrived at the iron gate of the 
enclosure, Horam, with ten of the guards, went in 



208 TALES OF THE GENII. 

on foot, and marched with the fakir to the tomb 
where he had heard the voices, and whence the 
young man had issued forth. As they approached 
to the tomb, they beheld the body of the young 
man on the ground, and his head at a distance ; 
which induced them to give more credit to the 
fakir. 

The guards entering the tomb, found no one 
within; but at the upper end they saw a stone 
case, supported by two blocks of black marble. 
The stone case was covered with a flat marble, 
which the guards could not remove from its place. 

The vizier, being acquainted with these parti- 
culars, returned to the Sultan, and related to him 
what the guards had discovered. But Misnar, re- 
collecting the many devices which the enchanters 
had prepared to ensnare him, was doubtful what 
course to take. 

On a sudden the moon, which shone exceeding 
bright, was overcast, and the clouds appeared of a 
glowing red, like the fiery heat of a burning 
furnace ; hollow murmurs were heard at a dis- 
tance, and a stench arose of a putrid and suffo- 
cating smell ; when, in the midst of the fiery 
clouds, a black form appeared, of an hagged and 
distorted female, furiously riding on a bulky and 
unwieldy monster with many legs. 

In an instant, the clouds to the east disappeared, 
and the heavens from that quarter shone like the 
meridian sun, and discovered a lovely graceful 
nymph, the brightness of whose features expressed 
the liveliest marks of meakness, grace, and love. 

? Hyppacusan,' said the amiable fair one, ad- 
dressing herself to the hag, ' why wilt thou vainly 
brandish thy rebellious arms against the powers of 
heaven ? If the Sultan, though he be the favourite 
of Alia, do wrong, the Mighty One, who delighteth 



THE ENCHANTERS. 209 

in justice, will make thee the instrument of his 
vengeance on the offending prince. But know the 
extent of thy power, vain woman ! and presume 
not to war against the will of heaven, lest the 
hattle of the faithful Genii he set in array against 
thee, and thou he joined to the numher of those 
who are already fallen.' 

' Proud vassal of light,' answered the enchantress 
Hyppacusan, ' I fear not thy threats, nor the bright 
pageants that surround thee ; war, tumult, chaos, 
darkness, fear, and dismay, are to me more welcome 
than the splendours of thy Master's heavens. 5 

' Graceless and abandoned wretch,' answered 
the hright fair one, ' defile not thy Maker's crea- 
tions by thy blasphemous tongue; but learn at 
least to fear that Mighty One thou art not worthy 
to honour ! ' 

Thus saying, she blew from her mouth a vivid 
flame, like a sharp two-edged sword ; which, en- 
tering into the red clouds that surrounded Hyppa- 
cusan, the hag gave a horrible shriek, and the 
thick clouds rolling around her, she flew away to 
the western darkness. The fair one then descend- 
ing towards the Sultan, the brightness disappeared, 
and Misnar, the vizier, and his guards, fell pros- 
trate before her. 

' Arise, Misnar,' said she, ' heaven's peculiar 
favourite ; and fear not to enter the tomb, w r here 
the enchantments of Hyppacusan are now at an 
end.' 

The Sultan was about to answer ; but the fair 
one led the w r ay to the tomb, and commanded the 
Sultan to enter with her, and uncover the stone 
case which stood at the upper end. As the lid was 
removing, a sigh issued from the case, and a 
beautiful lady arose, as from a deep sleep. 

' Lovely fair one,' said the Sultan, kneeling, 
P 



210 TALES OF THE GENII. 

c inform me whom it is my happy fate to release 
from this wretched confinement ? ' 

' Alas ! ' answered the beauteous maid, c art thou 
the vile Bennaskar ? 0, let me sleep till death, 
and never more behold the wretchedness of life ! ' 

' What ! ' said the Sultan, starting from his 
knees, ' do I behold the unfortunate Princess of 
Cassimir ? ' 

' Illustrious Hemjunah,' said the vizier Horam, 
as the Princess stared wildly about her, ' Misnar 
the Sultan of India is before thee.' 

1 Yes,' interrupted the fair spirit, e doubt not, 
Hemjunah, the truth of the vizier Horam ; for be- 
hold, Maconia, thy guardian Genius, assures thee 
of the reality of what you behold.' 

' Helper of the afflicted,' answered the Princess 
of Cassimir, ' doubt vanishes when you are present : 
but wonder not at my incredulity, since my whole 
life has been a false illusion before mine eyes. — 
Alia, wherefore hast thou made the weakest the 
most subject to deceit !' 

' If thou hast learnt humility from adversity, O 
Hemjunah,' replied Macoma sternly, ' thou wilt 
call to mind the faults which involved thee in these 
misfortunes ; and bless the Goodness whose chas- 
tisements were intended to open thine eyes to thine 
own weakness. But if thou, short-sighted mortal, 
wilt indeed question the wisdom of Alia, why go, 
thou mirror of justice and understanding, and span 
with thy mighty arms the numberless heavens of 
the faithful ; weigh in thy just balance the wisdom 
of thy Maker, and the fitness of his creation, and, 
joined with the evil race, from whom I have pre- 
served thee, rail at that goodness thou canst not 
comprehend.' 

* Spare me, just Genius,' answered the Princess 
of Cassimir, ' spare the weakness of my disordered 



THE ENCHANTERS. 2 1 1 

head ; I confess the folly of my thoughts, but weak 
is the offspring of weakness — ' 

* True,' replied the Genius : ' but although you 
are weak, ought you therefore to be presumptuous ? 
Knowest thou not that the Sultan Misnar suffered 
with you, because he despaired ? And now would 
Hyppacusan return thee to thy former slumbers, 
did not Alia, who has beheld thy former sufferings, 
in pity forgive the vain thoughts of mortality.' 

* Blessed is his goodness,' answered the Princess, 
' and blessed are his servants, who delight in suc- 
couring and instructing the weak and distressed.' 

' To be sorry for our errors,' said the Genius, 
'is to bring down the pardon of heaven; and 
Hemjunah, though so long overpowered by the 
powers of evil, is at length delivered by the good- 
ness of Alia, and shall again be the peculiar charge 
of her faithful Macoma.' 

' O kind and benignant Macoma ! ' answered the 
Princess, ' may I never forfeit thy kindness by iny 
own misconduct. But pardon thy servant's weak 
terrors, and deign, ere you leave me, to say if the 
wretch Bennaskar still lives ? ' 

' He lives no longer,' replied the Genius, c he 
died by the hand of Hyppacusan. The young 
man whose dead body and severed head were be- 
held by Misnar, was Bennaskar, who, having by 
some means offended his patroness, thus met with 
his appropriate fate at her hands. And now, Sultan 
of India,' continued Macoma, ' I leave the Princess 
of Cassimir under your protection, in full assur- 
ance that the delicacy of her sentiments will not 
be offended by your royal and noble treatment of 
her. But let an ambassador be immediately de- 
spatched from your court, to inform her aged and 
pious father of the safety of his daughter.' 

' The dictates of Macoma,' answered the Sultan, 
P2 



212 TALES OF THE GENII. 

bowing before her, ' are the dictates of virtue and 
humanity, and her will shall be religiously obeyed.' 

At these words the Genius vanished ; and the 
Sultan bade part of his guards -return to Delhi, to 
the chief of his eunuchs, and order him to prepare 
a palanquin, and proper attendants to convey the 
Princess of Cassimir to the royal palace. While 
these preparations were making, the Sultan and his 
vizier endeavoured to soothe and entertain the 
Princess of Cassimir ; and though Horam was de- 
sirous of hearing her adventures, yet the Sultan 
would not suffer him to request Hemjunah's rela- 
tion till she was carried to the palace, and refreshed 
after her fatigues. 

The chief of the eunuchs arrived in a short time, 
and the Princess was conveyed, ere morning, to 
the palace of Misnar, where the female apart- 
ments were prepared for her reception, and a num- 
ber of the first ladies of Delhi appointed to attend 
her. The Sultan, in the mean time, having ordered 
the fakir to be released, and sent out of the city, 
entered the divan with his vizier, and having de- 
spatched the complainants, retired to rest. 

In the evening of the same day, the Princess 
being recovered from her fatigue, sent the chief of 
the eunuchs to the Sultan, and desired leave to 
throw herself at bis feet, in gratitude for her escape. 
The Sultan received the message with joy ; and 
ordering Horam, his vizier, to be called, they both 
went into the apartments of the females, where 
the Princess of Cassimir was seated on a throne of 
ivory, and surrounded by the slaves of the seraglio. 

The Princess descended from her throne at the 
approach of the Sultan, and fell at his feet; but 
Misnar, taking her by the hand, — ' Eise, adorable 
Princess,' said he, ' and injure 'not your honour by 
thus abasing yourself before your slave.' 



THE ENCHANTERS. 213 

c Fame,' answered the Princess, ' which generally 
increaseth the virtues of the great, can represent 
but part of the merit of the Sultan of India.' 

' Could flattery,' answered the Sultan, ' be ever 
pleasing to me, it must be from the mouth of the 
Princess of Cassimir: but I mean to turn your 
thoughts from me to a more worthy subject, where 
you may safely lavish your praises, without fearing 
to exaggerate. The lovely Hemjunah has pro- 
mised to relate her wonderful adventures ; and 
Horam, the faithful friend of my bosom, and our 
former fellow-sufferer, is come to be partaker with 
me in the charming relation.' 

'Prince,' said Hemjunah, ( I shall not conceal 
what you are so desirous of knowing.' 

The Sultan then waved his hand, and the slaves' 
withdrew. 



THE HISTORY OP THE PRINCESS OF CASSIMIR I 

AND THE CONCLUSION OF THE ADVENTURES OF MISNAR, 

SULTAN OF THE EAST. 

It is often (said the Princess of Cassimir) the fate 
of the greatest, to have their private interest sacri- 
ficed to the public good. Glory and honour in 
your sex, O Prince, are motives which make this 
sacrifice the less lamented ; but in ours, we have 
no way of becoming useful to the public, but by 
joining hands where hearts are rarely consulted. 
Such was to have been my fate. At an early age, 
my father proposed to marry me to the Prince of 
Georgia. It was in vain that, when my mother 
disclosed the fatal news to me, I urged my youth, 
and my entire ignorance of the Prince or his 
qualities. 



214 TALES OF THE GENII. 

' My child,' said Chederazade, ' to make ourselves 
happy we must be useful to the world. The Prince 
of Georgia has done your father great service in 
the wars, and you are destined to reward his toils ; 
all the subjects of Cassimir will look upon your 
choice as a compliment to them, and they will 
rejoice to see their benefactor blessed with the 
hand of their princess.' 

' But, madam,' answered I, ' does the happiness 
of my father's subjects require such a sacrifice in 
me ? Must I live in a country to whose language 
and manners I am a stranger ; must I be for ever 
banished ; and must the realms of Cassimir look 
upon me as a monster, whose absence alone can 
effect their comfort and glory ? O, where will be 
•the soft happiness of married life with such a 
stranger ! ' 

' The idle dreams of love,' said my mother 
Chederazade, ' were invented by the evil Genii, to 
increase the number of the children of disobe- 
dience ; sound reason and policy acknowledge no 
such intruder ; and the strongest bands, either of 
private or public societies, must be interest and 
utility. These, Hemjunah, are sufficient reasons 
to engage your compliance with your father's de- 
sire ; and these will influence you, if prudence 
and wisdom are the motives of your choice : and 
if you want prudence, it is fit those who are able 
to instruct you should also guide and direct your 
actions.' 

At these words Chederazade left me bathed in 
tears, and trembling at my fate. 

My nurse Eloubrou was witness to the hard 
command my mother had imposed upon me, and 
endeavoured to comfort me in my affliction ; but 
her words were but as the wind on the surface of the 
rocks ; and, to add to my griefs, in a few minutes 



THE ENCHANTERS. 215 

after, the chief of the eunuchs entered the seraglio, 
and bade me prepare to receive the Sultan, my father. 

The Sultan of Cassimir entering my apartment, 
I fell at his feet. — 

'Hemjunah,' said he, ' the Prince of Georgia is 
my friend, and I intend to give to him my daughter 
as his bride.' 

Shocked at these successive declarations of my 
fate, which I had reason to suspect the day before, 
I fainted away ; and, when I recovered, found my- 
self on a sofa, and Eloubrou lying at my feet. 

' My lovely Princess,' said Eloubrou, ' how 
little am I able to see you thus ! and yet I fear the 
news I have to impart to you may reduce you to 
your former condition 1 ' 

' Alas ! ' said I, '. nurse, what new evil has 
befallen me ? what worse can happen than my 
marriage with a stranger ? ' 

' Princess,' replied Eloubrou, my nurse, ' the 
Prince has arrived ; nay, the ceremonies are pre- 
paring, the changes of vestment, the dessert, and 
the choral bands.' 

' Ah ! ' said I, ' nurse, cruel Eloubrou ! what 
hast thou said ? Am I to be sacrificed this night 
to my father's policy ? am I to be given as a fee to 
the plunderer of cities and the destroyer of man ? 
— for such are they whose profession is arms. 
Oh, where shall I fly from this hateful union ! ' 

' Talk not of flying from the paternal roof,' 
said the faithful Eloubrou, ' at least till other 
means shall fail. See this Prince of Georgia, 
avow to him your feelings, and if there be manli- 
ness or honour in his breast, you will not be driven 
to such a woful step. Alia gives his help to those 
only who strive at least to help themselves.' 

' Oh, Eloubrou, my heart resists thy counsel/ 
I exclaimed. 



2l6 TALES OF THE GENII. 

* Most adorable Princess/ said a young female 
slave who attended on Eloubrou, ' trust but to me, 
and the Prince of Georgia shall in vain seek the 
honour of your alliance.' 

The faithful Eloubrou shrieked at the words 
of the female slave, and endeavoured to clap her 
hands, and to bring the chief of the eunuchs to 
her assistance : but the female slave waved her 
left hand, and Eloubrou, and the rest of the slaves, 
stood motionless before her. 

' Most adorable Princess,' said she, ' I am the 
friend of the distressed, and I love to prevent the 
severe and ill-natured authority of parents : give 
me your hand, and I will deliver you from that 
monster the Prince of Georgia.' 

* What ! ' answered I, ' shall I trust to a stranger, 
whom I know not, and fly from my father's court ! 
No—' 

' Well then,' said she, ' I hear the cymbals 
playing before the Prince, and the trumpets and 
the kettle-drums : farewell, sweet mistress of the 
fierce and unconquerable Prince of Georgia.' 

As she spake, the warlike music sounded in 
my ears ; and not doubting but that the Prince 
and my father were coming, I held out my hand to 
the female slave, and said, — ' Save me, O save me, 
from my father's frown ! ' 

The slave eagerly snatched my hand ; and blow- 
ing forth a small vapour from her mouth, it filled 
the room, and we arose in a cloud. 

The manner of my flight from my father's 
palace I know not, as I immediately fainted : but 
as soon as I recovered, I found myself in a mag- 
nificent apartment, and a youth standing before 
me. 

' Charming and adorable Hemjunah,' said he, 
falling at my feet, ' may I hope that the service I 



THE ENCHANTERS. 2 1 7 

have performed, in delivering you from the Prince 
of Georgia, will merit your attention ? ' 

' Alas ! ' said I, ' what service hast thou per- 
formed ? — Who art thou, bold man, that durst 
stand before the Princess of Cassimir ? — Elou- 
brou,' said I, ' faithful Eloubrou ! where art thou? 
Where is Picksag, the chief of my eunuchs ? where 
are my slaves? where are the guards of the se- 
raglio ? ' 

' Princess/ answered the young man, £ fatigue 
not yourself with calling after them ; since they 
are in the kingdom of Cassimir, and you are in 
the house of Bennaskar, the merchant of Delhi : 
— but not to keep you in suspense, O Princess ! 
know, that I have for several years traded from 
Cassimir to Delhi ; and although I never saw you 
till lately, yet the fame of your beauty was so 
great, that it touched the hearts of all the young 
men in your father's kingdom. Every time I 
arrived at, Cassimir, the subject of all conversation 
was the adorable Princess Hemjunah ; encouraged 
by the oracle, which declared that the lovely Hem- 
junah' s hand might be sought by the lowborn as 
well as the royal suitor— provided her own consent 
be obtained-— endowed with wealth, and youth, and 
accomplishments, I cast myself at your feet also 
as your deliverer from a hateful marriage, and ask 
your assent to our immediate union.' 

' Merchant,' I replied, recoiling at his words, 
' talk not so boldly. It would better become you 
to apprise the Sultan of India of my arrival in his 
dominions, that he may restore me under an escort 
to my father's court.. Would I had never in an 
evil hour wished to abandon it! Would I had 
listened to the counsels of my faithful Eloubrou ! ' 

' Nay, fair Princess,' answered Bennaskar, ' be 
not so imperious; recollect that you are at my 



2l8 TALES OF THE GENII. 

disposal, and though your consent is necessary to 
our union, there are means other than gentle ones 
by which it may be obtained. A great enchantress 
is my friend, and you know not what awaits you 
if—' 

' Powers of goodness,' I exclaimed, ' befriend 
me ! save me from a fate worse than that which I 
fled ! Save me from Bennaskar, and the evil powers 
he serves.' At these words the apartment shook, 
and a majestic personage shrouded in a gentle 
cloud descended into the midst of it. 

1 Unhappy Princess of Cassimir,' said she, 
'how has thy impatient rashness, thy want of 
trust in those powers whom thou hast invoked, 
weakened my power and destroyed thy safety ! 
hadst thou listened to the sage counsel of thy 
faithful Eloubrou— hadst thou, in short, done thy 
part, and then called on Alia for help, thou wouldst 
not have been here this night. But since thou 
hast yielded thy sense of duty to the voice of a 
false slave, the sorceress Ulin has triumphed over 
thee and me. 5 

'Then Hemjunah consents?' exclaimed Ben- 
naskar. ' Her hand and her still more desired 
wealth are mine ; if Macoma abandons her, Ulin 
triumphs ; ' and he seized me by the arm. 

1 Stop,' said the good Genius, approaching and 
touching him with her wand, 'wretched slave of 
ambition, think not that heaven will prosper the 
wicked design of thy heart : though I am not per- 
mitted to rescue the Princess, yet have I power 
over thee, wretched tool of sin, and whenever you 
look on the Princess, she shall become speechless, 
and as a corpse before you/ 

6 Ah 1 ' cried the enchantress Ulin (who that 
moment entered the vaulted chamber from the 
closet, — which, my Prince, you have heard de- 



THE ENCHANTERS. 219 

scribed by Mahoud), — ' what hast thou done, thou 
enemy of our race ? Accursed and fatal neglect, 
that I had not at first secured Bennaskar from thy 
power ! But since the inexorable word is gone 
forth, I will add to thy sentence. Here (continued 
she, stamping with her foot, and an ugly dwarf 
arose through a trap-door in the chamber), Nego, 
be it thy business to attend upon my servant Ben- 
naskar, and whenever thou seest that female de- 
prived of sensation, do you bury her in the earth 
beneath this chamber : and Bennaskar,' continued 
the enchantress, ' do you take this phial, and 
whenever you want to converse with this stubborn 
female, let one of your slaves whom you can trust 
pour part of the liquor into her mouth, and she 
shall recover ; only retire yourself into the closet 
that you be not seen of her, at least till she con- 
sent to become your bride ; for then the enchant- 
ments of Maeoma shall no longer prevail against 
you.' 

' The enchantments,' said Maeoma, ' wretched 
Ulin ! are not yet complete ; there is yet a moment 
left, and both our power over Hemjunah and 
Bennaskar will be at an end. Therefore, thus 
shall it be: Although Bennaskar is possessed of 
the Princess, yet shall these apartments be hidden 
from the sight of all men, except on that day when 
thy evil race prevails. On the full of the moon 
only shall Bennaskar be able to explore these 
rooms : and fear not, amiable Hemjunah,' said the 
Genius, addressing herself to me; 'for neither 
force nor enchantment shall throw you into the 
power of Bennaskar, without your own consent ; 
and although Mahomet, displeased at your late im- 
prudence, for a time permits this enchantment, yet 
at length, if you continue faithful and virtuous, he 
will assuredly deliver you.' 



220 TALES OF THE GENII. 

At these words Bennaskar turned towards me, 
with anger and disappointment in his eye, and 
immediately I was seized with a deep sleep, and 
what passed afterwards I know not. I found my- 
self awakened by the descent of some liquor in 
my mouth, and saw a black slave standing before 
me. At the same time the voice of Bennaskar 
issued forth from the closet :-— 

' Ill-fated Princess Hemjunah! thy tyrant Genius 
hath now hidden thee a month from my sight, 
while thy friends Ulin and Bennaskar seek to 
restore thee to light and to life. Say but therefore 
that thou wilt yield to my will, and the enchant- 
ments of Macoma will be destroyed.' 

'Wretched Bennaskar!' answered X, 2 I knew 
not that my sleep had continued a month : but if 
it be so long since I saw the genius Macoma in 
this chamber, I thank Mahomet that he hath so 
long hidden me from the persecutions of Bennas- 
kar.' 

' Haughty Princess ! ' answered the vile Ben- 
naskar from the closet, ' my slave shall inspire 
you with- humbler words.' Whereupon he ordered 
the black slave to give me fifty lashes with the 
chabouc. 

But it is needless, Prince, to repeat the 
various designs of that wretch : for three months 
was I thus confined; and Bennaskar having ex- 
ercised, through the hands of his slave, the 
cruelties of his heart, used at length, when he 
found me persist in my resolution, to come forth, 
and by his- presence deprive me of sensation. The 
adventures of the third month you have heard 
from the mouth of Mahoud : I shall therefore 
only continue my adventures from the time that 
he left me with the book in my hand. 

Bennaskar, seeing his friend Mahoud had left 



THE ENCHANTERS. 221 

him, went out, and soon returned again with him ; 
and, taking him into the closet, in a moment came 
forth, and touching me, he said, ' Come, fair Prin- 
cess ; the enchantments of Macoma are now at an 
end, and thou art given up entirely to the power 
of Bennaskar.' 

I shrieked at his words, hoping the cadi would 
hear me ; but in vain : Bennaskar ran with me 
through the vaulted roof, and I found myself with 
him on a wide extended plain. 

'Wretch,' said the genius Macoma, who that 
moment appeared, ' hast thou dared to disobey my 
commands, and to remove the Princess from the 
vaulted chamber, where even thy mistress yielded 
to my power ? But I thank thee : what the im- 
prudent Mahoud could not accomplish against 
thee, thou hast effected thyself. Be this thy 
doom, unless some new imprudence or distrust 
of Mahoud, or of Hemjunah, restore to thy sense- 
less form the power of working them evil.' 

As she spake, the features of Bennaskar shrunk, 
his form became rigid, and I beheld a shapeless 
mass of stone instead of the form of my persecu- 
tor. On the stone was inscribed these words — 
' Thou canst never be released but by thy worst enemy. .' 
I repeated the words ; then said I, ' Hemjunah is 
safe for ever from her worst, her only foe, she has 
surely learnt wisdom from sad experience of woe.' 
While gazing with continued satisfaction on the 
object before me, Ulin (whose existence in my 
frenzied joy I seemed to have forgotten) stood 
before me. 

'Faithless child of Alia — unworthy pupil of 
Macoma, and foolish as unworthy ! ' said she, 
* thinkest thou that the senseless wretch before 
us was thy only foe — thou hadst one within, in 
thy own self-confidence and ingratitude, — the one 



222 TALES OF THE GENII. 

liatli banished Macoma, who waited in vain to see 
thee prostrate thyself before Alia — the other hath 
thrown thee into my power; for Alia will not 
stretch out his hand to save those who are con- 
fident of their own strength. Go, then, proud 
Princess ! assume the vile form of the vilest 
reptile, nor think that Macoma will again inter- 
fere to save thee ! ' 

So short-lived, great Sultan ! was the tri- 
umph of Hemjunah, and such the just consequence 
of her ingratitude and vain confidence. Let me 
draw a veil over my remembrance of the degraded 
form in which you beheld me, and relate the events 
which followed our restoration to our pristine form 
— a restoration which took place on your victory 
over the enchantress Ulin. No sooner had this oc- 
curred than I found myself in the seraglio of my 
father's palace : in the apartment from which I 
was taken by the wicked enchantress, I beheld my 
nurse Eloubrou ; she was prostrate on the ground, 
and the palace was filled with her cries. 

' Faithful Eloubrou,' said I, ■ arise, and look upon 
thy beloved Hemjunah : where is my royal father 
Zebenezer, and the fond Chederazade, the mother 
of my heart ? ' 

Eloubrou, at my voice, started up like one 
awakened from a trance. 

' What is it ? ' said she in emotion, ' what is it 
I behold ! art thou the departed shade of my once- 
loved Hemjunah V 

6 No shade, beloved Eloubrou,' said I, running 
to her, ' but the true Princess of Cassimir, whom 
Misnar, the Sultan of India, hath rescued from 
the enchantments of the wicked Ulin.' 

'0 that thy royal mother,' said Eloubrou, 'were 
like me, blessed with the sight of thy return ! ' 

' What,' said I, 'Eloubrou, what dost thou say? 



THE ENCHANTERS. 223 

Where then is the much-honoured Checlerazade ? 
where is the dear parent of my life ? ' 

'Alas/ said Eloubrou, 'who shall tell the dis- 
mal tale to thy tender heart ! ' 

1 Ah ! ' said I, ' is my beloved mother no more ? 
Is she gone to seek her disobedient daughter over 
the burning lake ? ' 

At these words my spirits failed, and I sunk 
motionless to the ground. But my lord must for- 
give me, if I hasten over the dreadful scene that 
followed. The report of Eloubrou was too true ; 
Checlerazade, the dearest Checlerazade, had been 
ten days dead when I was restored to my father's 
palace ; and Zebenezer, distracted at the double 
loss of his consort and his child, had shut himself 
up in the tomb of my mother. Eloubrou hastened 
to the tomb wherein my father poured forth his 
tears, and acquainted the guards who watched with- 
out, that I was returned. 

The sorrowful Zebenezer, although he was re- 
joiced at the news, resolved not to come forth out 
of his consort's tomb till the month was expired, 
according to his oath ; and gave orders, that dur- 
ing that interval I should be obeyed by his sub- 
jects. My mourning was not less severe than my 
royal father's. I shut myself up in my apartments, 
and would suffer none but Eloubrou to see me. 
Nine days passed in silence ; our loss affected 
both, and Eloubrou was as little disposed as my- 
self to forget the cause of her griefs. On the 
tenth morning Eloubrou was called out by the 
grand vizier, who then had the command of my 
father's kingdom. She returned in haste. — ' Prin- 
cess of Cassimir,' said she, ' one who calleth him- 
self Mahoud inquires for thee'; and the grand 
vizier, understanding that he was instrumental in 
your release, waits without to know your will.' 



224 TALES OF THE GENII. 

At the name of Mahoud I started from my 
reverie. — ' Mahoud,' said I, ' Eloubrou, deserves 
my notice ; and the son of the jeweller of Delhi 
shall be rewarded for his services to your mistress.' 

' Alas,' answered Eloubrou, ' my lovely mis- 
tress is distracted with sorrows, and supposes the 
Prince Mahoud to be the offspring of a slave ! ' 

' If he be a prince,' answered I, 'he has 
hitherto concealed his circumstances and birth 
from me ; or he is not that Mahoud whom I re- 
member in the deserts of Tarapajan.' 

' That,' answ r ered Eloubrou, ' you will soon 
discover w 7 hen you see him. But,' continued she, 
'he desires a private audience.' 

'Well, then,' replied I, 'introduce him, Elou- 
brou ; but let my slaves be ready to enter at my 
call.' 

Eloubrou obeyed, and brought the merchant 
Mahoud into my presence, and then retired. 

Mahoud fell at my feet, and said : — ' Forgive, 
loveliest creation of Alia ! my presumption in 
approaching the throne of Cassimir, and that I 
have added hypocrisy to my boldness, by assuming 
the title of a prince, wiiich I confess I have no 
pretensions to take upon me, nor abilities to sup- 
port.' 

' What, then,' answered I, sternly, ' has in- 
duced you to deceive my court ? ' 

' Let death,' said Mahoud, falling again before 
me, ' let death atone for my crime : but first 
permit me to explain the motives of my presump- 
tion.' — 

' Proceed,' said I. 

' As soon,' continued Mahoud, ' as our unnat- 
ural transformation was at an end, I perceived 
myself in the capital of Delhi, near the very house 
into which Bennaskar invited me : the sight of 



THE ENCHANTERS. 225 

that detested place gave wings to my feet ; and 
I ran forward, indifferent where I went to avoid 
that spot, till I came into the street wherein I had 
spent my father's fortune. A crowd of attendants 
waited at the house, which now was possessed by 
a more fortunate inhabitant. Sick of the sight, I 
flew onward, in hopes of finding, in a different 
quarter, a place of rest: but, in turning a little 
alley, I came out upon the area where the cadi 
had condemned me to the flames. At the sight of 
this place my blood curdled, and my hair stood on 
end.— Ah ! said I, unhappy Mahoud ! the capital 
of Delhi will renew thy distresses, by refreshing 
thy memory with unfortunate scenes ; and as thou 
hast no dependence here, since thy Sultan is with 
his army in the field, why shouldst thou not join 
thyself to the troops that daily march out of the 
city ; and when thou art arrived at the camp, throw 
thyself at the feet of the Sultan Misnar ? Full 
of these thoughts, I advanced toward the royal 
parade, and offered my services to - the captain of 
one of the troops that were drawn out in the 
square. The captain readily accepted my offer, 
and I was enrolled among the number of my Sul- 
tan's forces. Fortunately for me, the troop was 
then drawn out in order to be sent to the main 
army ; and being furnished with a horse, I went 
with my companions, and, before night, we joined 
the encampment. Immediately I flew toward the 
royal pavilion, and fortunately met the vizier 
Horam, with his attendants, going to the Sultan. 
I threw myself at his feet, and told him who I 
was : but the proud vizier spurned me from him 
with his foot, and bade the guards chastise me.' — 
Here the Sultan looked sternly at his vizier, and 
Horam stood in silent amazement. The Princess, 
although she saw the emotions of the Sultan and 



226 TALES OF THE GENII. 

his vizier, yet still continued her adventures with- 
out interruption. 

Mahoud, said she, proceeded thus : 

' Seeing I had no hopes of favour or protection 
from the vizier Horam, I flew to the royal tent, 
and as the Sultan came forth to meet his vizier, I 
fell prostrate before him ; but, alas ! the pride of 
greatness casts a film over the eyes of all men. — 
The Sultan Misnar, hearing me speak of his trans- 
formation and my own, commanded his troops to 
cast that liar forth out of the camp.' — 

At these words the countenance of Misnar 
changed : and he said, — ' Judge, Princess, from 
the actions of Misnar, whether that rebel lied 
before thee or not. When I heard from your 
mouth that Horam had spurned him with his 
foot, I was enraged at my vizier ; but now I am 
convinced he has alike traduced us both.' 

1 1 will not,' said the Princess Hemjunah, ' an- 
ticipate my tale : the sequel will satisfy both my 
Sultan and his vizier. 

' I was immediately,' continued Mahoud, ' car- 
ried to the extremity of the encampment, and 
turned out with hissings and abuse. I fled as 
fast as my feet would permit, and in a few hours 
joined a caravan, which fortunately for me was 
journeying to Cassimir. During my journey 
hither, Princess ! I lived on the alms of mer- 
chants, and, at my arrival, found the capital in 
confusion. — I heard that your royal father Zebe- 
nezer was retired ; that my lovely Princess saw 
none but Eloubrou, the partner of her afflictions ; 
and that the vizier Hobaddan directed everything. 
— Ah ! said I to myself, is there then no way of see- 
ing the Princess but through the indulgence of her 
prime vizier ? and what hope have I that he will 



THE ENCHANTERS. 227 

hearken to the tale of an unknown beggar, when 
Horam would not acknowledge the brother of his 
afflictions ! In this distress I knew not where to 
turn ; but, happily, one saw my afflictions. A 
merchant who was standing in his shop, and had 
observed me lift up my eyes to heaven, called out, 
and said, ( Young man, what is the cause of your 
excessive afflictions?' — I looked round, and saw 
the merchant; and, as I was going up to him, 
fortune inspired me with a tale that softened his 
heart. 

' 1 told him that I was a prince and well known 
to you, glory of Cassimir ! and that if he would, 
only for the space of one day, furnish me with a 
proper habit and attendants to appear before you, 
Princess, I would pay him tenfold for his kind- 
ness. ' It is not likely,' said the merchant, ' that 
a prince and a beggar should be one and the same 
person : but, as I have taken the pains to inquire 
into your affairs, I will furnish you as you desire, 
upon condition that, if you are not what you say, 
you shall go before the cadi, and bind , yourself to 
me for ten years as my slave.' 

1 Being hard pressed by penury and want, I readily 
embraced the merchant's offer: we went before the 
cadi ; I signed the conditions, that, being properly 
furnished by the merchant to appear before the 
Princess, if the Princess of Cassimir did not ac- 
knowledge me to be Prince Mahoud, and her 
deliverer in the afflictions she had lately experi- 
enced, I would submit to be the merchant's slave 
for ten years. This being executed, the merchant 
procured me the robes in which I now stand before 
my Princess, and slaves to attend me ; and by his 
interest with the vizier, I was introduced into your 
presence : and now, Princess, unless you favour 
Q2 



228 TALES OF THE GENII. 

my innocent deceit, by which alone I was able to 
obtain a sight of my benefactress, I must return 
from your presence into the chains of slavery, and 
be exposed to the scoffs of ignominy/ 

' There is no occasion,' said I, ' of giving you a 
false title, Mahoud ; I will send for the merchant, 
and buy off your ten years' slavery, and give you 
sufficient to live creditably as a merchant.' — 

' Alas ! ' answered Mahoud, ' the cunning mer- 
chant, Princess, will never know how to ask 
enough for my redemption, when he finds I am fa- 
voured by the Princess of Cassimir : and if he 
should, I shall become the joke and contempt of 
the merchants, who will neither give me credit nor 
countenance.' 

' Well, then,' said I, ' poor merchant, since you 
are so unwilling to part with your newly-assumed 
honours, be a prince.' Then, clapping my hands, 
Eloubrou appeared, and I said, ' Eloubrou, let the 
Prince Mahoud be lodged in my father's palace, 
and let a proper number of slaves attend him ; and 
do you acquaint the vizier with his quality.' 

Eloubrou did as I commanded ; and Mahoud, 
full of joy, fell down at my feet, and kissed the 
hem of my garment. 

' Prince,' said I, ' arise ; and Eloubrou shall 
conduct you to my father's palace.' 

A few days' experience made me repent my folly 
in giving credit to the falsities of Mahoud : for the 
insolent merchant got proud of his newly-assumed 
honours, and soon forgot that his title was only the 
phantom of his own brain. He came daily, and 
was introduced to me, and every time assumed 
greater state ; till at last he dared to declare his 
passion for me, and talked of asking my father's 
consent, as soon as the days of his sorrow should 
be accomplished. 



THE ENCHANTERS. 229 

Astonished at his insolence, I bade him depart 
from my presence; which he did with difficulty, 
muttering revenge as he went. 

As soon as he was gone forth, I acquainted 
Eloubrou with Mahoud's story, his ridiculous and 
insolent behaviour, and that he had even dared to 
threaten me with revenge. ' The threats of Mahoud/ 
said Eloubrou, ' are of little consequence; but the 
conduct of Hemjunah should be without reproach. 
Suffer me, my Princess,' continued this faithful 
friend, ' to deliver to you the sentiments of my 
heart : — when you sought to release the merchant 
from slavery, you showed a royal gratitude for his 
services; but when you consented to become a 
partner in his base design of imposing on the 
world, you offered him the means of insulting you. 
Love and presumption united cannot distinguish 
the valley from the mountain ; and the ass crops 
alike the thistle or the rose : if Mahoud dared first 
assume honours that did not belong to him, what 
should prevent his more aspiring thoughts '? They 
that will not destroy the weed before it produces 
the stalk and the pod, shall not prevail against it 
when it scatters forth its seeds, and gives its pro- 
geny to be dispersed by the winds.' 

As Eloubrou delivered this instruction before 
me, one of the slaves entered the apartment, and 
gave me notice that Zebenezer, my father, expected 
me in the tomb immediately. I put on the solemn 
veil, and followed the guard to the tomb of Cheder- 
azade, the favourite of Alia. I entered the lonely 
mansions of the dead with fear and trembling ; and 
at the upper end of the vaulted tomb, saw my 
father kneeling before the embalmed corse of the 
parent of my life. 

' Unhappy Hemjunah/ said the aged form, ' come 



23O TALES OF THE GENII. 

hither, and behold the sad remains of my dearest 
Chederazade.' 

' Although my heart sunk with grief, and my 
limbs tottered, yet I essayed to reach the place 
where Chederazade lay embalmed, and fell at the 
feet of my father Zebenezer. 

' Rise,' said he, ' O daughter ! ' and caught me 
suddenly in his arms : when, fearful sight ! I 
perceived his visage alter, and that the villanous 
Mahoud had seized me. 

Struck with] horror and despair, I essayed to 
cry out ; but in vain ; my voice was fled, and the 
power of speech was taken from me. 

' No,' said he, with a fierce air ; l resistance, 
haughty and prudent Princess, will now avail you 
nought, for I seek not now consent to our union, 
but revenge. Not Mahoud but Bennaskar stands 
before you ! No longer the cold and shapeless 
stone you left him ; but, thanks to the impotent 
avarice of Mahoud, and to the good-will of the 
enchantress Hyppacusan, restored to life ! and, 
thanks to the triumph of vanity and self-confidence 
over truth and prudence in Hemjunah's mind, to 
the power of vengeance. 

' When the base Mahoud listened to the dreams 
of slothful avarice, and neglected the calls of duty 
which should have led him to join the followers of 
his once rightful but deposed Sultan to the field, 
the Genius Macoma abandoned him ; and Hyppa- 
cusan, the friend of the destroyed Ulin, deceived 
him into the belief that the treasure of Bennaskar 
lay hid beneath the marble stone into which he 
had been transformed. I stay not to tell how the 
once slothful slave laboured till he had accomplished 
his task, and undermined the mighty column. It 
fell ! — he had worked deliverance to his friend and 
ruin to himself; it crushed the sordid wretch, who 



THE ENCHANTEKS. 23 1 

sought its hidden treasure, and Bennaskar started 
into light. 

' My triumph was at hand : — under the garb of 
Mahoud, I sought indeed at first to woe her, but 
her pride defeated and changed my gentler purpose. 
I sought once more the powerful aid of Hyppacu- 
san, by whose means I entered this tomb invisibly, 
and by whose enchantments I overpowered Zebe- 
nezer ; and then, assuming his person, sent for 
my Princess, and she came obedient to my call. 
No longer as her humble suitor I now appear before 
her. Both love and ambition, in great minds, 
yield to the thirst of vengeance. Till Hemjunah 
sues for pardon, and seeks with tears the hand of 
Bennaskar, she dwells in this tomb ; dead to the 
world, yet conscious of life.' 

The wretch then showed to me my father Zebe- 
nezer, whom, by the power of Hyppacusan, he had 
deprived of all sensation, and who lay extended 
within a sarcophagus of black marble. Another 
was placed by his side, as yet untenanted. He 
pointed to it, and, thinking I wavered, paused. I 
shook my head — a woman's hand waved before me. 
I heard no more. What time has elapsed since, I 
know not ; but, noble Sultan ! Alla's instrument 

of deliverance to me, my father 

' Princess,' said the Sultan, 'we rejoice at your 
escape. For your royal sire, we will beseech Ma- 
coma to hear our petitions, and deliver him from 
the chains of enchantment.' 

The Sultan then sent officers to search in the 
tomb for the body of Zebenezer ; and also called 
together those who were skilled in magic, and de- 
sired them to use incantations to invoke the Genius 
Macoma to their assistance. But the arts of the 
magicians were vain, and Macoma remained deaf 
to the entreaties of the Sultan and his sages. 



232 TALES OF THE GENII. 

In the mean time, while the Sultan and his 
vizier Horam endeavoured to comfort the afflicted 
Hemjunah, the ambassadors returned from Cas- 
simir, bringing advice that the grand vizier Hobad- 
dan had assumed the title of Sultan, and that 
the whole kingdom of Cassimir acknowledged his 
authority. 

At this report, Hemjunah sunk motionless on 
the earth ; and the Sultan Misnar ran to comfort 
her, declaring that he would march his whole army 
to recover her dominions from the rebel Hobaddan. 

' Horam,' said the Sultan, ' let us be prudent as 
well as just: therefore, while you march to the 
assistance of the injured subjects of Cassimir, and 
to restore that kingdom to its lawful prince, I will 
keep strict discipline and order in the provinces of 
my empire : and I trust, in a short time, I shall 
see you return with the head of the rebel Ho- 
baddan.' 

The vizier Horam set out in a few days from 
Delhi, with three hundred thousand troops of the 
flower of the Sultan's army; and, by forced marches, 
reached the confines of Cassimir ere the pretended 
Sultan Hobaddan had notice of his arrival. 

The vizier Horam's intention to restore the 
Princess Hemjunah to the throne of her forefathers 
being proclaimed, numbers of the subjects of Cas- 
simir nocked to the standard of Horam ; and the 
army, being now increased to five hundred thousand 
troops, marched towards the capital of Cassimir. 

Hobaddan having notice of the increase and 
progress of his enemies, and finding that to engage 
them upon equal terms was vain, sent an embassy 
to the vizier Horam, assuring him that he and his 
whole army would surrender themselves up to the 
mercy and clemency of his master's troops. Horam 
rejoiced at the success of his march, and desirous 



THE ENCHANTERS. 233 

of regaining the kingdom of Cassimir without 
bloodshed, sent an assurance to Hobaddan in an- 
swer, that if he fulfilled his promise, his own life 
should be saved. 

The next morning Hobaddan appeared at the 
head of his troops, with their heads dejected, and 
their arms inverted toward the ground; and in this* 
manner they came forward to the front of the 
vizier Horam's army. 

Horam, the more to encourage the submission 
of Hobaddan, had placed the troops which he had 
raised in the kingdom of Cassimir in the front of 
his army ; and also to secure them from retreating 
by the support which his own troops were to give 
them in the rear. 

When Hobaddan was come within hearing, in- 
stead of throwing his arms on the ground, he un- 
sheathed his scimitar, and thus spake to the troops 
before him : — 

' Brethren, and countrymen, whom the same 
fathers begat, and whom the same mothers brought 
forth ; suffer me to speak what my affection to you 
all, and my love for my country, requires me to 
say. Against whom, O my brethren! is this array 
of battle ; and whose blood seek ye to spill on the 
plains which our forefathers have cultivated? Is 
it our own blood that must be poured forth over 
these lands, to enrich them for a stranger's benefit? 
Is it not under pretence of fighting for the Princess 
of Cassimir who has been long since dead, that 
the Sultan of India's troops are now ravaging, not 
on our borders only, but penetrating even into the 
heart of our nation? But suppose ye that the 
conquerors will give up the treasures they hope to 
earn by their blood? Will they not rather, in- 
vited by the fruitfulness of our vales and by the 
rich produce of our mountains, fix here the ever- 



234 TALES OF THE GENII. 

lasting standards of their arms, and make slaves 
of us, who are become thus easily the dupes of 
their ambitious pretences ? Then farewell con- 
tent ! farewell pleasure ! farewell the well-earned 
fruits of industry and frugality ! Our lands shall 
be the property of others, and we still tied down 
by slavish chains to cultivate and improve them. 
Our houses, our substance, shall be the reward 
of foreign robbers ; our wives and our virgins shall 
bow down before conquerors ; and we, like the 
beasts of the field, be driven in the scorching mid- 
day to the furrow or the mine.' 

As Hobaddan began to utter these words, Horam, 
astonished at his malice and presumption, ordered 
the archers who attended him to draw forth their 
arrows, and pierce him to the heart : but the 
weapons of war were as straws on the armour of 
Hobaddan, and he stood dauntless and unhurt 
amidst ten thousand arrows. 

' Friends and brethren ! ' continued Hobaddan, 
'you see the powers above are on our side; the 
arrows of Horam are as chaff on the plain, and as 
the dust which penetrates not the garments of the 
traveller. Halt not, therefore, your ready judg- 
ments, which incline you to embrace what nature 
and your own security dictate ; but join your arms 
to the defender and supporter of your liberties and 
your possessions.' 

At these words the recruits of Horam filed off 
in a body, and joined the party of Hobaddan; 
while the pretended Sultan, elated at his success, 
pushed forward to the vizier Horam' s troops, and 
charged them with the utmost impetuosity. The 
weapons of the brave were foiled by the armour of 
Hobaddan : for the enchantress Hyppacusan, stu- 
dious of diverting the attention of the Sultan 
Misnar, had assisted Hobaddan with her counsel, 



THE ENCHANTERS. 235 

and with invulnerable arms : wherefore, seeing 
their labour vain and fruitless against the pre- 
tended and unconquerable Sultan, the hearts of 
Horanrs warriors melted within them, and they 
fell away from the field of battle, as the birds 
of the air retreat before the whistling husband- 
man; and Hobaddan, sensible of his advantage, 
hastened after the troops of Horam all the day and 
all the night; and the vizier himself barely escaped 
with his life, having none left behind him to send 
to Delhi with the unhappy report of his defeat. 

But malicious Fame, ever indefatigable in repre- 
senting the horrors of affliction and distress, soon 
spread her voice throughout the regions of Delhi, 
and Misnar heard from every quarter, that his 
faithful Horam, and all his chosen troops, were 
defeated or cut off by the victorious arm of Hobad- 
dan. The Princess Hemjunah gave up herself to 
sighs and tears, and refused the comfort and con- 
solation of the court of Delhi; and the Sultan 
Misnar, enraged at his loss, resolved to assemble 
the greatest part of his troops, and march to the 
assistance of Horam. But first he gave orders 
that recruits should be raised, and that the number 
of his troops should be increased ; and then, 
mixing his young raised soldiers with the veterans 
of his army, he left one half of his troops to 
guard his own provinces, and with the other he 
marched toward the confines of Cassimir. 

The vizier Horam had concealed himself in 
the hut of a faithful peasant, and, hearing that his 
master was arrived with a numerous army in the 
kingdom of Cassimir, he went forward and met 
him, and falling down at his feet, besought his 
forgiveness. 

' Horam,' said the Sultan, * arise ; I forgive 
thee, although thou hast lost so many of my 



236 TALES OF THE GENII. 

troops : but I little suspected Hobaddan had been 
too artful for the experience and sagacity of my 
vizier. However, Horam, he must not expect to 
deceive us again ; we are more in number, and we 
are aware of his deceit. You, Horam, forced your 
marches, and weakened your troops ; but I will 
bring them onwards slowly and surely. Have we, 
O Horam, prevailed against Ulin and Happuck, 
and Ollomand, and Tasnar ; have we crushed Aha- 
back and Desra by our prudent arts ; and shall we 
fear the contrivance of a poor vizier, who leads a 
few rebels among the rocks of the province of 
Cassimir ? Let us but use prudence with resolu- 
tion, and these enemies must soon fade away, like 
the shadow that flieth from the noontide sun.' 

The two armies of the Sultan of India and the 
pretended Sultan of Cassimir approached each 
other ; and the troops of Misnar were pleased to 
hear that their number was treble the number of 
their enemies. But, however great their superiority 
might be, the Sultan Misnar and his vizier kept 
the most exact discipline among them, and be- 
haved as if they were about, to engage a superior, 
and not an inferior force. 

For some time, the armies continued within 
sight of each other, neither choosing to engage 
without some superiority of circumstances, and 
both watchful to prevent that superiority. At 
length, the Sultan, observing a weakness in the 
left wing of Hobaddan's army, caused by sickness, 
as they were encamped near a morass, gave orders 
for a furious attack upon the front, but directed 
the main effort to be made against that wing. 
But the Sultan's intentions were defeated ; for 
Hobaddan, commanding not in the centre, as was 
expected, but in the left wing, with a chosen troop 



THE ENCHANTERS. 237 

lie had conveyed there the very morning of the 
engagement, totally defeated those who were sent 
to oppose him. The troops to the right of the 
Sultan's army giving way, put all in confusion ; 
and the unwieldy number of Misnar's forces, in- 
stead of regularly supporting them, poured toward 
the right in such tumult as destroyed the whole 
disposition of the army. 

During this confusion, Hobaddan hewed down 
on all sides those who dared oppose his arms ; 
and his chosen troop followed him over mountains 
of the slain, every one flying through fear at the 
terror of his presence. The Sultan and his vizier 
Horam, finding it in vain to rally their troops 
or oppose the conquerors, sounded a retreat ; and, 
amidst the general confusion, fled toward the sandy 
deserts which divide the realms of Cassimir from 
the province of Delhi. But the prudent Sultan, 
in his flight, endeavoured to restore to his troops 
their rank and order ; and while Horam reduced 
the foot under their proper banners, Misnar regu- 
lated the confusion of the horse, and placed them 
as a covering to the rest of his forces. In this 
manner they marched before the face of their 
enemies into the desert, without any provision or 
forage but what they carried with their accoutre- 
ments : and although the Sultan and his vizier 
used every argument to persuade their troops, who 
still exceeded the number of their enemies, to 
turn and pursue the army of Hobaddan ; yet so 
great was their dread of the victorious rebel and 
his forces, that they threatened to throw down 
their arms, rather than return to the battle. 

Seeing all his endeavours to inspire his men with 
courage ineffectual, the Sultan travelled onward with 
them into the desert, as one given up to certain 



238 TALES OF THE GENII. 

and unavoidable destruction ; and his looks on 
Horani were like the looks of him who seeth the 
hand of death on the children of his strength. 

After two days' march, they halted beside several 
small pools ; and such was the excessive drought 
of Misnar s army, that many perished before they 
could be prevailed upon to quit the refreshing pools 
of the desert. These, indeed, thought of little 
more than present relief; but Misnar, their lord, 
was overwhelmed with the severest pangs of afflic- 
tion and distress. To increase their griefs, if they 
were capable of increase, scouts brought word that 
the troops of Hobaddan, being refreshed after their 
fatigues, were marching towards them, intending 
to destroy them, while they were faint with want of 
provision. The army of the Sultan, terrified by 
the report, and seeing no hopes of escape, fell upon 
the wretched Sultan Misnar and his faithful vizier, 
and bringing them into the centre of the troops, 
they demanded their blood as an atonement for the 
losses they were about to suffer in their cause. 

The ringleader of this general mutiny was Ourodi, 
the ancient enemy of the faithful Horam ; who, 
standing foremost in the ranks, commanded the 
archers to bind their Sultan and vizier to a stake. 
The Sultan, seeing all his hopes defeated, and the 
rage of the multitude, knelt down, and commended 
his cause to the all-powerful Alia. 

And now, the archers were about to bend their 
bows, and fit the deadly shafts to their bowstrings ; 
when a luminous appearance was discovered to the 
eastward, and the outskirts of the army saw a female 
in robes of light travelling over the sands of the 
desert. In a moment she passed through the ranks 
of the army, and stood in the circle who were 
gathered around to see the execution of the Sultan 
and his vizier. 



THE ENCHANTERS. 239 

' Misnar,' said the favourite of heaven, ' arise and 
fear not those sons of clay, nor the malice of en- 
chantment : I am thy Genius Macoma, sent by 
Mahomet to save and deliver thee, when human 
assistance was vain and impossible. — Therefore/ 
continued the Genius, ' assume thy just command 
over these thy subjects, and let them all fall pros- 
trate on the ground to Alia, and wait to see the fate 
of those who fight against the Prophet of the 
Faithful. But first learn, from thine own experience, 
the folly of trusting even to the greatest human 
power or prudence, without an affiance in the Lord 
of heaven. The world, Misnar, is Alla's, and 
the kingdom of heaven is the work of his hands : 
let not, therefore, the proudest boast, nor the most 
humble despair : for, although the towering moun- 
tains appear most glorious to the sight, the lowly 
valleys enjoy the fatness of the skies. But Aha 
is able to clothe the summits of the rocks with 
verdure, and to dry up even the rivers of the vale. 
"Wherefore, although thou wert suffered to destroy 
the greatest part of thine enemies ; yet one was 
left to overpower thee, that thou mightest know 
that thou wert but a weak instrument in the hands 
of Strength.' 

' I know,' answered the Sultan Misnar, ' that 
Alia is able to dissolve this frame of earth, and 
every vision of the eye ; and therefore not the 
proudest nor the most powerful can stand against 
Him.' 

As the Sultan spake this, the opposite army of 
Hobaddan appeared upon the face of the sandy 
desert. 

* Although his powder be infinite,' said the Genius, 
1 yet can he effect these changes with the most 
unexpected causes. To him the ant and the giant 
are alike. — But I will not waste that time in words 



240 TALES OF THE GENII. 

wliicli I am commanded to employ in action, to 
convince both you and your army of the sovereignty 
of Alia. Therefore, suffer no man to rise from the 
earth, or to quit their places ; but lift up your 
heads only, and behold those enemies destroyed, 
before whom you fled, as the inhabitants of the 
earth before the noisome pestilence.' 

So saying the Genius Macoma waved her wand, 
and instantly the air was darkened, and a confused 
noise was heard above the armies of Misnar and 
Hobaddan. 

For some hours the Sultan's troops knew not 
the cause of the darkness that overshadowed them ; 
but in a little time the light returned by degrees, 
and they looked toward the army of Hobaddan, 
and saw them overwhelmed with innumerable lo- 
custs. 

4 Thine enemies,' said Macoma, ' Sultan, are 
no more ; save the enchantress Hyppacusan, who 
at present personates the rebel Ourodi.' 

' The glory of extirpating her infernal race,' said 
the vizier Horam, bowing before the Genius Macoma, 
' belongs to my Sultan ; otherwise Horam would 
esteem himself the happiest of mankind in her de- 
struction.' 

' That glory you speak of,' answered the Genius 
Macoma, ' is given to another : a fly is gone forth, 
the winged messenger of Alla's wrath, and at this 
moment bereaves the vile Hyppacusan of her breath 
and of her life.' 

The vizier Horam held down his head at the 
just reproof of the Genius ; but the words of her 
reproof were the words of truth : for an account 
was brought, that the rebel Ourodi was suddenly 
dead, being strangled by some impediment in his 
throat; and that, at his death, his figure was 



THE ENCHANTERS. 24 1 

changed into the appearance of a deformed en- 
chantress. 

' Although your enemies, Misnar, are no more/ 
said the Genius, * yet the assistance of Alia is as 
necessary for your support as for their defeat: 
wherefore he hath given life to the springs of the 
desert ; and your troops will find such refreshment 
from them, that you may safely march over the 
sandy plains : and to add to your happiness, the 
old Sultan Zebenezer, being released from the en- 
chantments of Hyppacusan, waits, with his daugh- 
ter Hemjunah, your safe arrival ; and knows not as 
yet those wonders, which I leave to your prudence 
to reveal to him.' 

The Sultan Misnar well understood the mys- 
terious speech of the Genius Macoma ; but, before 
he or his troops tasted of the pools, or pursued 
their march, he commanded them to fall down 
before Alia, the only lord of the world. 

The troops, having done reverence to Alia, were 
desirous of repeating it before Misnar, to ask his 
forgiveness ; but the modest Sultan would not per- 
mit them. — ' It is no wonder,' said he, ' the sheep 
go astray, when the shepherd himself is bewildered 
on the mountains. Let us make,' said he, ' Alia 
and his Prophet our guide and defence ; and then 
neither presumption nor rebellion shall lead us 
into error.' 

The unexpected change reached not the court of 
Delhi till the troops were within a few days' march 
of the city : and Zebenezer and Hemjunah were 
but just prepared to meet the Sultan Misnar, when 
he entered the gates of the palace. As Misnar 
advanced toward the aged Zebenezer, the good old 
man started with surprise, and cried out, — ' O 
Mahomet, is it possible, that the Sultan of India, 
B 



242 TALES OF THE GENII. 

and the Prince of Georgia, should be one and the 
same ! ' 

The Princess Hemjunah was amazed and con- 
founded at her father's speech, and she fell on his 
aged face, and hid, in his arms, the blushes that 
overspread her. 

' What you suspect, my royal friend,' said Misnar, 
6 is true ; I am, indeed, the man who passed in 
Cassimir for the Prince of Georgia. I beseech 
thee, O Zebenezer, forgive my deception.' 

' You have no forgiveness,' said the aged Zebe- 
nezer, ' O Sultan, to ask from me.' 

' Indeed,' answered the Sultan, ' my title was 
just : my royal father Dabulcombar, being treach- 
erously advised by those who wished to place his 
younger son Ahubal on the throne, commanded 
me to travel, and gain renown and experience in 
arms ; and, to conceal my importance, gave me the 
title of Prince of Georgia. In this disguise, I came 
to the royal court of Cassimir, and engaged in your 
service, O venerable Sultan ; and Alia sent his 
blessings on us : your enemies were put to flight ; 
and your subjects, who favoured me, gave the credit 
of the defeat to my arms. Hearing that you in- 
tended me the honour of an alliance with your 
illustrious family, I resolved first to see the Prin- 
cess Hemjunah, whom I heard you had confined, 
being warned from an ancient prophecy, that a 
stranger should deprive you of her. I saw the 
Princess by means of one of her slaves ; and Hem- 
junah, my lovely Hemjunah, from that moment took 
possession of my heart. I was earnest, therefore, 
with you to propose the nuptials, and was to have 
been introduced to the Princess the very day in 
which I received advice that my Lord Dabulcombar 
was drawing near unto his Prophet. In expecta- 
tion of demanding your daughter, as the Sultan of 



THE ENCHANTERS. 243 

India, and not as an obscure prince, I journeyed to 
Delhi, and was early enough, to see my royal sire 
ere he departed. 

' Son,' said he, ' evil threatens your reign : extri- 
cate^ therefore, yourself from danger, before you 
involve others in your ruin.' 

' Mindful of my father's words, I resolved to 
quell the commotions of the empire before I made 
myself known to the Sultan of Cassimir : but Alia 
has so wound the string of our fates together, that 
it is needless to repeat the rest of my adventures. 
Only the Princess must forgive me this, that hear- 
ing she had been taken away from her father's 
court, I was resolved to conceal my interest in her 
affairs till I was sensible that the Prince of 
Georgia, though not blessed with her smiles, had 
yet no rival in her affections.' 

' Most noble Sultan,' said the Princess Hemju- 
nah, ' it is vain to dissemble : suffer me, therefore, 
freely to declare, that the Sultan of India has to- 
tally extirpated the Prince of Georgia from my 
heart : but, whatever my own sentiments may be, 
assure yourself that I shall not, at my father's com- 
mands, refuse the Prince of Georgia my hand.' 

The Sultan of India and Zebenezer were both 
delighted with the manner of the Princess Hem- 
junah's answer : and Horam, the faithful vizier 
Horam, was rejoiced to find, that his Master and 
the Princess Hemjunah were desirous of rewarding 
each other, after their mutual fatigues. The whole 
court expected the nuptials with impatience ; and 
the good old Sultan Zebenezer stayed to see his 
daughter the Sultaness of India, and Misnar the 
happiest and the most thankful of the children of 
Alia. 



R2 



244 TALES OF THE GENII. 

c The children of Alia,' said the sage Iracagem 
(as the Genius Macoma had finished her relation), 
■ have indeed a freedom of action : hut that freedom 
is hest exercised when it leads them to trust and 
depend on the Lord of all things : not that He, 
who seeth even beyond the confines of light, is 
pleased with idleness, or giveth encouragement to 
the sons of sloth; the spirit which He has infused 
into mankind, He expects to find active and indus- 
trious; and when prudence is joined with religion, 
Alia either gives success to its dictates, or, by 
counteracting its motions, draws forth the brighter 
virtues of patience and resignation. Learn, there- 
fore, ye pupils of the race of immortals, not to 
forget your dependence on Alia, while ye follow the 
prudent maxims of wisdom and experience : for he 
only is truly prudent, who adds faith to his practice ; 
and he truly religious, whose actions are the result 
of his faith. But sufficient for the present hours 
are the instructions of Macoma and her illustrious 
brethren. The faithful guardians of these chil- 
dren of mortality will, for a time, carry them 
abroad, and teach them those sciences which are 
justly esteemed among the sons of the earth : sciences 
which have been delivered, in secret whispers from 
our race, to a few chosen minds, who, through our 
assistance, have broken the fetters of ignorance, 
and subdued the darkness of carnal infirmities : 
men famous through successive generations, for 
cultivating and polishing the rude outlines of na- 
ture, and for instructing mankind in the elegant 
and social arts.' 

As the sage Iracagem uttered these words, the 
inferior Genii retired with their respective pupils, 
and by easy progressions conducted them through 
those elegant and useful arts, each of which upon 



THE ENCHANTERS. 245 

earth cannot be attained but with a steady applica- 
tion through life. 

After these exercises, towards the wane of the 
moon, the whole company met again in the saloon, 
and Iracagem with pleasure surveyed the enlight- 
ened countenances of the pupils of his race, whose 
hearts and intellects seemed dilated by the pleasing 
progress they had made. 

6 Science,' said the sage Iracagem, « may polish 
the manners; but virtue and religion alone can 
animate with exalted notions, and dignify the mind 
of immortality : to neglect the first, is to turn our 
head from the light of day ; but to despise the last, 
is to grasp the earth, when heaven is opened to 
receive us. A wise and prudent spirit will so use 
the one as to improve the other, and make his 
science the handmaid of his virtue. Wherefore, 
noble Adiram, let us proceed in the delightful 
lessons of morality, and hear the wonders you are 
prepared to relate.' 

The affable Adiram arising, thus began her much 
instructive tale. 



246 TALES OF THE GENII. 



TALE IV. 
SADAK AND KALASRADE. 

THE fame of Sadak lives yet in the plain of 
Erivan, where he drew the bow of the mighty, 
and chased the enemies of his faith over the 
frozen mountains of the north. When Amurath 
gave peace to the earth, Sadak received a hint to 
retire with his beloved Kalasrade, to the palace 
of his ancestors, which was situated on the banks 
of the Bosphorus, and commanded one of the 
most beautiful prospects in the world. Sadak, 
though fiery and impetuous in the field, was ele- 
gant and amiable in his happy retreat, where 
fancy and delicacy preserved their pre-eminence 
over the richest productions of unrestrained nature. 
The palace of Sadak stood upon a wide-ex- 
tended terrace, which overlooked the sea and the 
opposite shores of Europe ; a deep and noble 
grove sheltered it behind ; and, on each side, hills 
and valleys diversified the rural scene. The gar- 
dens of the palace, though wild and irregular, 
yet afforded the most delightful retirement ; and 
Sadak found in its bosom pleasures far superior 
to the splendid pageants of the Othman court. 
To increase the bliss of this earthly paradise, 
his fair partner had blessed him with a numer- 
ous progeny : and as Sadak and Kalasrade sat 
under the shade of the lofty pines, their chil- 
dren wantoned and sported on the plains before 
them. 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 247 

The spirit of their father was in the lively con- 
tests of his sons ; and maternal delicacy dimpled 
on the cheeks of the daughters of Kalasrade. 
The happy pair saw their own virtues reflected 
from their children; and Sadak, released from 
the toils of war, was resolved to dedicate the 
rest of his days to the improvement of his beau- 
teous offspring. 

Kalasrade, though her charms were as yet un- 
diminished by age, harboured not a wish for the 
pleasures of the world : all her joy was centred 
'in Sadak ; her heart rejoiced not but when Sadak 
appeared ; and her soul, uneasy at a moment's 
absence, panted after Sadak her lord. The love 
of Sadak equalled the affection of his beloved ; 
none but Kalasrade engaged his thoughts ; none 
but Kalasrade shared his affections. Time, which 
impairs a frivolous attachment, served but to 
strengthen that which existed between Kalasrade 
and her Sadak. 

But Sadak indulged not on sofas of pleasure 
alone ; his time was divided between his children : 
besides the education of their minds, he trained 
them in all warlike exercises. He accompanied 
them to the chase, and mingled in their lighter 
sports. But uninterrupted happiness belongs not 
to man. Sadak had had the misfortune to dis- 
please his sovereign. His bow had sent forth the 
furthest arrow; his hand had raised his fallen 
sovereign on the field of battle ; in his warfare he 
had been fortunate and merciful ; and men talked 
of Sadak while they celebrated the triumphs of 
Amurath. The monarch's heart swelled with high 
disdain, while it kindled with jealousy at his sub- 
ject General. The war being ended, Sadak re- 
ceived a hint to retire awhile from court ; and 
his friends advised him not to seek his Sultan's 



248 TALES OF THE GENII. 

presence till years should have faded the glory of 
his name and fame. 

Sadak felt his sovereign's slight; hut he per- 
ceived the wisdom of their counsel, and established 
himself on his paternal domains. There he led 
the life of rare but quiet bliss which we have 
described. His well-known kindness and hospi- 
tality often brought the wandering stranger to 
his home ; and Sadak, the hero, the destroyer 
of his country's foes, was known only to his kind 
as Sadak the happy, or Sadak the good. 

Meanwhile Amurath the mighty sought, in the 
contemplation of his own vast power, and the 
selfish indulgences to which it administered, to 
drown for the present his painful remembrance 
of Saclak's glory, and to secure that portion of 
enjoyment, small though it be, which Aha per- 
mits to those who seek it only in the track of 
selfish pleasure. 

Years passed on, yet did the remembrance of 
Saclak still haunt the waking dreams of Amurath. 
An unsuccessful war had recalled to the minds 
of his soldiers the name of their favourite hero. 
Murmurs had reached the tyrant's ear. — Where 
is Sadak ? has the Sultan forgotten his right-hand 
in battle ? 

To amuse the mind of Amurath, as he was 
returning from an unsuccessful expedition, the 
officers of the royal camp persuaded him to enjoy 
the pleasures of the chase in a country well 
stocked with game, and otherwise suited for the 
purpose, through which they had to pass. Amu- 
rath, who was a good horseman and keen hunter, 
entered eagerly into the scheme ; and on the 
second , day was so much excited that he out- 
stripped his courtiers, and lost his way in a forest. 
His horse, knocking up, became an encumbrance 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 249 

to him ; so tying it to a tree, he made the best 
of his way through the forest on foot. The slant- 
ing rays of the sun announced the decline of day, 
while an approaching storm urged him forwards ; 
he ascended an eminence, from whence he caught 
a glimpse of the sea, and of some lofty towers 
rising above the trees which lined its shores : 
thither he determined to bend his steps, and en- 
deavour to obtain shelter and repose for the night. 
As he descended the eminence, he encountered a 
poor traveller who seemed to have come in that di- 
rection, and of him he demanded whether the 
mansion he beheld was inhabited, and likely to 
afford him food and shelter. 

'Why, friend,' said the poor man, 'from what 
outlandish place beyond our Sultan's dominions 
art thou arrived, that thou asketh such a question? 
Who does not know that the man they call the 
happy lives in those towers?' 

' But will this man you call the happy assist a 
benighted stranger ? ' said Amurath, quite subdued 
by hunger and fatigue. 

' Certainly ; for if he is called the happy, it is 
the rather because he is the good; and if you 
chance to want his help, why the more welcome 
will you be.' The traveller passed on, and the 
Sultan quickened his steps, but was again on the 
point of missing his way, when he encountered a 
dervise, of whom he inquired the nearest track to 
the mansion, and also the name and character of 
its possessor. 

' You must be a stranger to the country, truly, 
friend,' said the dervise, 'since you know neither 
the name of yonder palace, nor of its noble pos- 
sessor. He calls himself Sadak the happy, but 
men call him Sadak the good, as his soldiers used 
to call him Sadak the hero. In truth, as I came 



25O TALES OF THE GENII. 

yesternight through the camp, it was said that 
they meant to demand him from the Sultan, to 
end this unlucky war. But,' he added, looking up 
as he felt an arm suddenly laid on his, ' I perceive 
that you belong to the Sultan's arrny, and this 
affair is perhaps intended to he kept secret : well, 
I have done no hami ; I am no vender of secrets ; 
I betray no confidence in telling you this ; I heard 
openly, and I speak openly ; you have thought 
better of it perhaps, and certainly we do not want 
to lose our Sadak; — so farewell!- — the portico rises 
between those trees ; the gate is never closed.' 

' Wretch ! ' murmured the Sultan — but the der- 
vise was gone, and Amurath was again alone. The 
evil passions of jealousy and envenomed hatred, 
silenced but not subdued by years, burst forth with 
torturing fury. ' Wretch ! ' he exclaimed, ' and 
hast thou, absent, and buried for years in these 
wilds, been living and honoured in the memory of 
my people, while Amurath, their king, the master 
of their destinies — Amurath, all-powerful, yet not, 
alas ! over their affections, is secretly disdained, 
and his slave Sadak sought to lead their arms to 
victory ! And those, too, who never knew thee as 
the conquering Sadak ; do they, too, adore thee as 
Sadak the Good ; and dost thou dare to call thyself 
the happy Sadak ? — happy ! while the king's coun- 
tenance is dark towards thee ! Wretch, thou shalt 
die the death, or thou shalt live dishonoured ! ' 

So saying, Amurath entered the wide and open 
portal ; well judging, that added years, and his 
own disguise — a hunter's dress, would for some 
time, at least, conceal him from Sadak's recog- 
nition. While such was the tyrant's instinctive 
homage to the integrity of his subject, that he 
never thought of providing against treason in the 
man he had used so injuriously. 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 25 1 

It was evening; — a splendid moon had risen 
over the troubled sunset, and shed its clear but 
tremulous light across the avenue into which Amu- 
rath had unconsciously strayed when he had passed 
through the portal. The sounds of frolic and 
laughter now met his ear, but they died away as 
he approached the mansion, and gave place to soft 
music and the more lovely chorus of voices. 
Amurath stopped as the vista opened, and dis- 
covered in the front of the mansion a grass bank 
shaded by a trellis of flowery creepers, near which 
a fountain was playing, and beneath which shelter 
reclined Sadak and his family — the beautiful Kalas- 
rade touching her lute, and mingling her voice 
with that of Sadak in one of the songs of Hafiz, 
their children sporting at their feet — while at a 
little distance a group of slaves were enjoying them- 
selves unrestrained by the presence of the lord 
whom they loved more than they feared. 

The haughty tyrant approached the group of 
servants, and pointing to Sadak, asked if that 
was their lord. ' It is our Sadak,' they ex- 
claimed, ' Sadak the Good ; what do you seek 
from him ? ' 

' Shelter for the night, and kind treatment to a 
weary traveller,' answered the Sultan ; and he was 
led to the presence of his exiled subject. 

A kind welcome from the noble Sadak met the 
disguised monarch ; and having been invited to 
the bath by the attendants, he found, on his re- 
turn, refreshments awaiting him ; and the carpet 
spread for him in the veranda. The beautiful 
Kalasrade had resumed her veil ; but she still 
remained, with her boys, by the side of her 
husband. Amurath struggled to conceal his feel- 
ings, while the frank and courteous Sadak en- 
deavoured to draw his guest into conversation. 



252 TALES OF THE GENII. 

He spoke of the dervise who had lately visited 
him ; and told the story of that dervise's fallen 
greatness. Amurath took up the discourse ; he 
spoke of the uncertainty of human greatness ; of 
wealth and health and fame. — ' Hast thou no fears, 
noble Sadak,' said his treacherous guest, ' though 
men call thee good and happy ; hast thou no fears 
for the future ; dost thou not sometimes desire to 
look into the book of fate ? ' 

1 I fear nothing,' replied Sadak, c while Alia 
leaves me Kalasrade.' 

' And I,' said Kalasrade, pressing the hand of 
her husband, ' can have no anxious cares, while 
Sadak and my children are spared to me.' 

The monarch was silent ; he pleaded fatigue 
soon after, and asked permission to retire. But 
there was that within which forbade repose, — a 
troubled spirit. The burnings of jealousy were 
there. — ' My slave,' said he, ' whom I spurned 
from my presence, — lo ! he reigns as a monarch 
in these fruitful plains ; as a monarch, yet not as 
Amurath, for he reigns over the hearts of men ; 

while I but he is vulnerable, and I have him 

in my power. While Alia leaves him his Kalas- 
rade, it seems, he may laugh at ill fortune, and at 
Amurath. But Kalasrade shall live — yet cease to 
live for Sadak ! ' With these words the tyrant 
sought and found a temporary repose. But before 
the sun had risen over the calm waves of the 
Bosphorus, Amurath had sought the forest, where 
he was joined by the officers of his suite, who had 
been all the night in search of him, and with 
whom he returned, moody and agitated, to his 
camp. 

We now leave Amurath for awhile, and return 
to Sadak. It was his custom, almost daily, to 
accompany his four sons and a party of faithful 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 253 

attendants to the plain of Bezeb, where they strove 
for mastery in the race, and pointed their arrows 
at the distant mark. 

' O my father ! ' said Codan, the eldest of his 
children, as they were on the plain, where Sadak 
was drawing the bow-string to his breast, ' a black 
cloud arises from the grove, and flames of fire 
burst through its sides ! ' 

Sadak quickly turned his eyes toward the wood 
which sheltered his palace, and saw the sparks and 
the flame ascending over the tops of the trees. 

' My children,' said Sadak, with a firm counte- 
nance, ' fear not ; continue your sport on the plain 
till I return : I will leave four slaves with you ; 
the rest shall follow your father to this grove of 
fire.' 

Though Sadak was unwilling to terrify his 
children, he knew full well the misfortune which 
had befallen him. His palace was in flames ; and 
the doting husband hastened with his slaves to 
the relief of his beloved Kalasrade and her 
daughters. 

Sadak first reached the burning palace. The 
slaves of the house, terrified at the fire, w r ere flying 
into the woods. He commanded them back, and 
asked if Kalasrade and her little ones were safe ? 
Seeing their consternation, he flew toward the 
apartment of his beloved, which was situated in 
one of the inner courts : and though the devour- 
ing flames endeavoured to bar his passage, the 
firm Sadak pressed through the fire into the apart- 
ments of Kalasrade. 

' Kalasrade ! ' exclaimed Sadak, ' my beloved 
Kalasrade ! where art thou ? ' 

Kalasrade answered not. 

Sadak lifted up his voice still higher. — ( Kalas- 
rade ! my beloved Kalasrade ! where art thou?' 



254 TALES OF THE GENII. 

Kalasrade answered not ; and Sadak, though 
terrified at not discovering his beloved, yet searched 
every part of the harem, till he came to the apart- 
ment of his three daughters, who, with their female 
slaves, were fallen on the earth, every moment ex- 
pecting to be devoured by the flames. 

' Arise, my children,' said Sadak, ' and be com- 
forted at the presence of your parent. But where 
is your mother ? where is my beloved Kalasrade ? ' 

' Alas S ' answered the children of Sadak, * we 
know not: some slaves forced our dear mother 
from her apartments, as she was hastening to our 
relief.' 

' Then,' answered Sadak, ' blessed be my Pro- 
phet, she is safe ! But come, my daughters,' con- 
tinued their father, ' you must not delay your 
escape : the fire makes hasty strides upon us. 
Come, my children, to my arms, and I will bear 
you through the flames : but first let us dip in the 
bath, lest the fire seize on our garments.' 

As they passed the female baths, they dipped 
themselves in the basin ; and the slaves followed 
their master's example. 

Sadak, arriving at the entrance where the flames 
had reached, resolutely took up his two elder chil- 
dren, and carried them through the flames ; then 
again returning, — ' I will either,' said he, ' rescue 
my youngest, or perish with her.' His youngest 
fainted with fear as soon as her father had left her ; 
and Sadak found her stretched on the ground, with 
but little signs of life. 

All the female slaves, following their master Sa- 
dak, had escaped out of the harem, except one 
faithful creature, who rather resolved to die with 
her young mistress than leave her exposed to the 
flames. Sadak snatched up his dear treasure in 
his arms, and commanded the faithful slave to take 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 255 

hold of his garment and follow him through the 
flames. 

Happily, the wind had turned the fire towards a 
different part of the palace ; so that Sadakhad less 
danger to encounter in the second effort than in 
the first. 

The resolute Sadak, having rescued his children, 
inquired of his slaves where they had conveyed his 
dear Kalasrade ? but none could give answer to the 
questions of their lord. The slaves were now all 
gathered together in a body; but four of their 
number were missing, besides those who continued 
with the sons of Sadak on the plain. 

As little more could be rescued from the flames, 
Sadak left only ten slaves about the palace, to re- 
cover what they were able ; the rest he sent into 
different parts of the grove, and to the villages 
around, to seek for their mistress Kalasrade and 
her slaves : six he dismissed with his daughters to 
the plain of Eezeb ; commanding them, with their 
attendants, to join his sons, and then seek some 
shelter and refreshment in a neighbouring village ; 
and leaving orders for his beloved Kalasrade, if she 
was found, to retire to her children. 

Sadak then went through the most unfrequented 
paths and into the loneliest parts of the woods, to 
seek his beloved, calling upon her as he passed 
along, and pronouncing the names of the slaves 
that were missing. This he continued till night 
had thrown her sable garments on the earth, and 
he had compassed his palace every way around for 
several miles ; when he resolved to turn again to 
his palace, and inquire of his slaves concerning his 
beloved Kalasrade. 

He passed through the woods, guided by the 
red glare of light, which the clouds reflected 
from the fire that had nearly consumed his dwel- 



256 TALES OF THE GENII. 

ling, and entered the farther part of the terrace, 
whereon stood the few remains of his once elegant 
building. 

The flames, unsatiated with their former cruelties, 
seemed to rekindle at his presence. His slaves 
came weeping toward him, hut could give no tidings 
of their amiable mistress : and Sadak, who in the 
morning had looked with the utmost satisfaction 
on the lively scenes around him, now saw the 
melancholy face of nature, enlightened with the 
dusky gleams of his own unexpected ruin. 

But yet the wreck of nature could not have dis- 
turbed Sadak more than the loss of his beloved ; 
he doubted not but that the fire was kindled by 
those slaves who had torn Kalasrade from his arms ; 
and, though he felt within himself the deepest afflic- 
tion, his blood curdled with horror, when he re- 
flected on the tenfold distresses which encompassed 
the pure and spotless partner of his affections. 

6 O Alia,' said the trembling Sadak, ' fortify my 
faith, and teach me, even in the horrors of this 
night, to believe that mercy triumphs over evil, and 
that the paths of destruction are controlled by thy 
all-seeing Power ! To me, all is confusion ! misery ! 
and terror ! But thou seest through the dark 
abyss, and guidest the footsteps of the just in the 
valleys of desolation ! Nevertheless, thou Just 
One ! forgive the sinking of my soul, and pour 
the virtuous balm of hope into the wounded 
spirit of thine afflicted servant ! ' 

The bounteous Alia heard the voice of his ser- 
vant, and the heart of Sadak was fortified and 
strengthened with religious hope. 

Having disposed of what effects his slaves had 
rescued from the flames, in a place of security, 
Sadak hastened to the village where his children 
were assembled ; and, disguising the severer pangs 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 257 

he felt himself, he endeavoured to assuage the grief 
of his fond family for the loss of their mother. 

Several of Sadak's friends soon joined him in 
the village, and the relations of his wife offered to 
take care of his children, while he went in search 
of Kalasrade, and his villanous slaves. Sadak 
with thankfulness embraced the offer of Mepiki, 
the father of his beloved, and having tenderly em- 
braced his children, directed his steps toward the 
sea-side, and crossed, in one of his feluccas, to the 
city of Constantinople. 

No sooner was Amurath seated on his throne in 
the divan, than Sadak fell prostrate before him. 

' My brave soldier,' said Amurath, ' arise. The 
world, Sadak,' continued the prince, ' talk largely 
concerning your happiness; and those, who envy 
not the Othman crown, yet pant after the elegant 
and peaceable retirements of the fortunate Sadak. 
Has Sadak, then, a wish ungratified, that he comes 
thus a humble suppliant at a monarch's feet '? ' 

' The smiles of his prince,' answered Sadak, ' are 
a soldier's joy ; yet, though denied for many a long 
year the sunshine of those smiles, did Sadak live 
an envied life, till one dark cloud interposed, and 
blasted the ripe fruit of his joy.' 

' What means my Saclak ? ' inquired Amurath. 

' While I led my sons to the plain,' replied Sadak, 
1 to teach them the duties which they owed their 
prince, the names seized my peaceful dwelling ; and 
ere I could return to the rescue of my beloved 
Kalasrade, four slaves had dragged her away ; and 
I and my attendants have, in vain, been seeking 
her in the woods and plains that surround my habi- 
tation : wherefore, O Amurath ! I come a suppliant 
to thy throne, to ask redress of thee.' 

' That,' answered Amurath, ' brave soldier, thou 
shalt have: my Hasnadar Baski shall pay thee 
S 



258 TALES OF THE GENII. 

twice the value of thine house ; thou shalt have 
twenty of my slaves ; and as to thy beloved, go 
where fancy leads thee, and seek a new Kalasrade.' 

The words of Aniurath were as the arrows of 
death in the heart of Sadak ; and he said—' Let 
the hand of justice overtake the robbers, and let 
the power of my lord restore Kalasrade to my 
arms.' 

' Why should a weak female trouble the brave 
soldier's heart? ' said Amurath. 

As the blasted oak is torn by the thunderbolt, so 
was the heart of Sadak rent by the words of Amu- 
rath : but he concealed the storm that shook his 
breast, and bowing to the earth, departed from the 
divan. He applied himself that day to inquire in 
the Bizestein, and public market-places, concern- 
ing Kalasrade and his four slaves ; and hearing no 
tidings of them there, he went to the water-side, 
among the Levents, or watermen ; but none could 
give him the least account of the fugitives. The 
sorrows of Sadak bore heavy on his heart ; but 
they did not prevent him from making a regular 
and strict search on the opposite shores, both of 
Europe and Asia. Several months passed in a 
fruitless inquiry, without the least discovery either 
of his slaves, or the manner of their escape. 

The gentle Kalasrade, in the mean time, suffered 
still severer afflictions. On the morning in which 
she was torn from her lord, she was seated on a 
sofa, with her slaves around her ; when she heard, 
from several quarters of the palace, a cry of * Fire ! ' 
and, in an instant, saw the blaze ascend in three 
different parts. All was confusion and distress : 
Kalasrade forgot not her children, but was hasten- 
ing to their apartment, when four slaves broke in 
upon her, and forced her out of the palace. They 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 259 

flew with their prize to one extremity of the terrace, 
where a small galley, which was concealed by the 
trees that overshadowed the water, waited for her 
arrival. 

The distracted Kalasrade was delivered to an old 
slave in the galley, who instantly threw a thick 
black veil over her head, and threatened to cast her 
into the sea, if she cried out or resisted. 

The threats of the eunuch were vain : Kalasrade 
feared no greater misfortune than the loss of Sadak ; 
and she filled the air with her lamentations. The 
eunuch, finding his remonstrances unsuccessful, 
shut up the windows of the galley, and urged the 
rowers to hasten away with their prize. 

Kalasrade, being inclosed in the galley, knew not 
to what shore she was carried : but, ere long, the 
vessel struck upon the ground ; and ten black eu- 
nuchs entering the galley, they wrapped a covering 
of silk around her, and conveyed her away. After 
some time they stopped to give her breath. 

The beauteous mourner looked around her, and 
saw she was in a garden planted with cypress trees. 
She fell at the feet of him who seemed to have the 
command of his brethren, and besought him to 
have compassion on the miseries of a distressed 
mother and an injured wife. The eunuchs made 
no answer to the entreaties of Kalasrade ; but he 
who commanded the rest made a sign for them to 
fling the silken covering over Kalasrade, and to 
bear her away. 

It was not long before the slaves made a second 
halt ; and took off the silken covering again from 
Kalasrade, and retired. The beauteous wife of 
Sadak lifted up her veil as soon as she perceived 
the slaves withdraw, and found she was in an ob- 
scure room, the windows of which were guarded 
S2 



260 TALES OP THE GENII. 

with iron bars. In one corner of the room stood 
a small pot of boiled rice, and beside it a pitcher of 
water. 

Kalasrade hastened to the door ; but the slaves 
had made it fast without. Seeing all possibility of 
escape taken from her, and not knowing where she 
was, the wretched Kalasrade threw herself on the 
earth, and with tears and sighs intermixed, thus 
poured forth her griefs : 

' 0, whither am I carried from the arms of my 
beloved ! Where was Sadak, the light of mine 
eyes, when the hand of the oppressor was on the 
bosom of his Kalasrade ! Where was the strength 
of his arm and the fierceness of his countenance, 
when they tore his Kalasrade from the nest of her 
little ones ! faithful Sadak, whither am I borne 
from the light of thine eyes ! whither am I carried 
from the smiles which refreshed my heart ! Did 
we not, Sadak, divide the light and the darkness 
together? In the bosom of Sadak I hid me from 
the storm. Ah, Sadak ! Sadak ! hear the voice of 
Kalasrade ! My love for thee, Sadak, has been 
pure as the rain-drops, and the thoughts of Kalas- 
rade have not wandered from her lord. When 
Sadak arose, my heart was poured out in a sigh ; 
when he led his sons to the chase (ah, wretched 
chase !) my eyes went with him to the grove ; but 
my thoughts followed him to the plain ! When he 
returned, his presence was like the sprightly tones 
of music to my soul ; when he smiled, he was 
cheerful as the light of the morning. When he 
spoke, his words were as the dews of heaven on 
the fruitful bosom of the earth. Ah, Kalasrade, 
thou art as the traveller among the wolves of the 
forest ; thou art as ' a stranger bewildered in the 
snowy plain ! ' 

Kalasrade vented her sighs undisturbed for 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 26 1 

several days, no one appearing but an old female 
mute, who daily brought her some boiled rice and 
a pitcher of water, which, though but scanty, 
was more than sufficient for the beauteous wife of 
Sadak. 

During this interval, it was impossible for Kalas- 
rade to guess at the meaning of her confinement ; 
and seeing no one come to molest her, she began 
to bear her situation with more temper ; though 
still, like the turtle, her moans after Sadak were 
every moment indulged, and her fears for her 
children renewed the horrors of her mind. 

At length, one of her own black slaves, who had 
assisted in forcing her away, appeared. He was 
followed by fifty other attendants, whose well 
known dress marked them as belonging to the 
royal household. 

The wife of Sadak was astonished at the new 
scene of wonders which she beheld : but her heart 
soon returned to its former fears, when she heard 
the name of the mighty Amurath announced. 

The distressed Kalasrade fell at the feet of her 
Prince, and said : ' Lord of thy slaves, whom Alia 
has sent to the relief of the distressed, behold the 
handmaid of thy servant Sadak before thee ! As 
Sadak, mighty Prince ! was teaching his sons to 
walk in the paths of their father, four of his slaves, 
having set fire to his dwelling, rushed into the 
harem, and bore me away to a galley ; in which, 
throwing a blind over me, they conveyed me to 
this wretched hut, where, till to-day, I have been 
indulged in my silent woes. And now, mighty 
Prince ! to whom, doubtless, I owe my preserva- 
tion, permit thy, servant to depart, and if it please 
thee, gracious Prince, let a fe*w of these my deli- 
verers convey me from this slave's house to Sadak 
thy servant.' 



262 TALES OF THE GENII. 

As Kalasrade uttered these words, Amurath 
made a sign to his eunuchs to withdraw ; and tak- 
ing the lovely Kalasrade by the hand, he bade her 
arise. — 'Beauteous Kalasrade,' said he, 'I am 
pleased at your artless tale; yet are you much 
deceived : you are not in a slave's house, but in 
the garden of Aniurath's seraglio.' 

At these words, the countenance of Kalasrade 
changed ; a deadly paleness overspread her cheeks, 
and she fell on the earth as a flower cut off from 
its root by the stormy wind. 

Although Amurath called in immediate assist- 
ance, it was long before they could restore motion 
aud life to the miserable Kalasrade ; who, as soon 
as she beheld the countenance of Amurath, again 
sunk to the earth. 

After some time, when the distressed Kalasrade 
was a little recovered, Amurath thus began : — ' It 
is beneath the lord of the earth to disguise his 
thoughts, or to wear a countenance which accords 
not with his heart. No, my lovely Kalasrade, 
hypocrisy is a slave's portion ; the sun knows no 
shadow ; and Asia's monarch knows no restriction. 
Wherefore Kalasrade shall not any longer feel the 
tortures of a doubt, or the shackles of fear. Know 
thou, lovely fair one, that when Sadak, who pre- 
sumptuously calls himself the Happy, received 
one summer's night the benighted hunter, and 
feasted him in the verandas of his earthly para- 
dise, he was entertaining his Sultan, his justly 
displeased master. And know, beauteous Kalas- 
rade ! that the slave who dares to call himself 
the happy, withdrawn from the sunshine of his 
master's smiles, is unfit to live. Yet thy Sadak 
boasted joys superior to those which attend his 
prince ; and I issued forth the law of my mind, 
that he should be cut off for his presumption. 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 263 

While the Janissaries were making ready to obey 
my commands, I considered that death alone was 
not a sufficient recompense for his folly; and 
therefore I determined to add suspense to the 
tortures which the rebel had merited at my hands. 
For this purpose, I gave orders to the chief of my 
eunuchs to corrupt some of his slaves, who were 
to fire his dwelling in different parts, and to bring 
away his Kalasrade to my seraglio. But the wife 
of my slave must suffer ere she be exalted — 
for she had gloried in her Sadak. Hence I re- 
solved that thou shouldst live awhile confined in 
an ignominious hut, fed on the coarsest food, 
that thou mightest feel the power of Amurath 
before thou hadst learned to love his mercy. Thus 
your short troubles, Kalasrade, have been pro- 
ductive of the greatest joy your sex can feel ; for 
know, that you have engaged the affection of the 
mighty Amurath ; and he, who will not depart 
from the words of his lips, doth here call Maho- 
met to witness, that Amurath will make his be- 
loved Kalasrade the Sultana of his heart.' 

The tender Kalasrade was overcome with the 
words of Amurath, and she sunk into the arms of 
the chief of the eunuchs, who stood behind her. 

* Doubor,' said Amurath, ' I perceive Kalas- 
rade's joy has overpowered her. While she is in 
the trance of happiness, too great for her mortal 
nature to live under, let her be conveyed to the 
richest apartments of the seraglio, where the fa- 
vourites of our race enjoy the converse of their 
lords ; and let all homage be paid to her who is 
destined to share the throne of Amurath.' 

While Doubor, and the rest of the eunuchs, 
waited to perform the will of their prince, Amu- 
rath returned to the seraglio, and entered the 
baths, and afterwards arrayed himself in his most 



264 TALES OF THE GENII. 

sumptuous robes. He then sent to inquire of the 
chief of the eunuchs whether Kalasrade was re- 
covered. The chief of the eunuchs came with the 
countenance of sorrow. 

1 What ! ' said Amurath, trembling, as he saw 
the posture of his slave, 'is not the beauteous 
Kalasrade arisen from the slumbers of transport?' 

' Lord of life,' answered Doubor, ' we have used 
every secret of physic in vain. Our beauteous 
mistress still slumbers on the sofa whereon we 
conveyed her.' 

'If so,' replied Amurath, ' let us hasten to the 
adjoining apartment, where I may behold, unseen, 
the joy which will awaken in her breast, as her 
eyelids unfold to her the splendours that surround 
her.' 

After Amurath had been some time stationed 
in his secret stand, the lovely Kalasrade opened 
her eyes, and beheld the magnificent apartments 
into which she had been conveyed. The beaute- 
ous wife of Sadak, seeing the mutes standing on 
each side of her, the fair female slaves falling 
prostrate in two rows before the steps of the sofa, 
and the eunuchs, with folded arms and down-cast 
eyes, at a distance, shrieked aloud, and clapping 
her hands together in wild despair, cried out, ' O 
Sadak, Sadak, save me from this pompous hor- 
ror ! ' She then, in frantic haste, tore off the 
magnificent bracelets of diamonds, which, during 
her fainting, had been fastened to her arms, and 
the rich girdle of rubies which adorned her waist, 
the pearls and the emeralds which were hung 
upon her bosom. Amurath, enraged at the fran- 
tic shrieks of the wife of Sadak, entered the 
apartment with a frowning aspect. The unfortu- 
nate Kalasrade fell at his feet. 



SADAK AND KALASKADE. 265 

' Alas, mighty Prince ! ' said she, ' who can ab- 
solve the plighted vow ? or ' 

' Wretched slave ! ' said Amurath, starting from 
her, defile not mine ears with thy rebellion. For 
three days shall I leave thee ; at the end of which 
time, either prepare with joy to become the hon- 
oured and envied wife of thy Sultan, or expect to 
see the head of Sadak blackening in the sun, be- 
fore the windows of the seraglio ! ' 

At these words, the incensed Amurath left the 
fair Kalasrade weeping on the ground, and retired 
to a different part of the palace : but he gave or- 
ders that the chief of his eunuchs should attend 
her. The disconsolate fair one gave herself up to 
perpetual grief, and refused to taste the delicacies 
that were set before her, although Doubor on 
his knees besought her to consider the dreadful 
consequences of offending his lord. To these re- 
monstrances Kalasrade answered little ; her mind 
w T as full of the mighty ills which she suffered, and 
she could conceive nothing more dreadful than the 
fate which awaited her. 

As she sat the second day on her sofa, musing 
on her dear absent Sadak, she perceived a small 
bird perch on one of the windows which looked 
toward the gardens of the seraglio ; which, hop- 
ping thence to her hand, opened its little throat, 
and began its artless lay. As the bird left off sing- 
ing, Kalasrade, though she was astonished at its 
tameness, yet began to stroke it, and said: — ' Thou, 
pretty chorister, art mistress of the air, and heaven 
hath adorned thee with the wings of liberty : thou 
buildest thy nest beyond the trace of human malice, 
and soarest abroad, where no Amurath can impede 
thy flight ! ' 

The moans of Kalasrade were interrupted by a 



266 TALES OF THE GENII. 

small voice, which at first the beauteous wife of 
Sadak could scarcely believe was uttered by the 
little bird ; till, listening with attention to it, she 
distinguished the following words : — 

' Startle not, lovely mistress of Sadak's thoughts, 
at the voice of a bird. The most trifling causes 
can, in the hands of Strength, produce the greatest 
effects ; as the instructions of Alia were conveyed 
to the Holy Prophet of Mecca by the whispers of 
a dove. 

' My station appears envious to Kalasrade, be- 
cause she conceives* me the offspring of liberty. 
Her fancy represents me on the wings of pleasure 
and enlargement ; she sees me soaring in heaven's 
broad patk, but forgets my toils in the grove, and 
my labours in the field. If the light feather, which 
bears me on the thin surface of the air, makes me 
man's superior in flight, yet the artifice of human 
invention again subjects my weaker understanding 
a prey to contrivance : but it is enough for me, 
Kalasrade, to know that I am the creature of Alia, 
who has in wisdom appointed to every thing living 
its proper station and bounds. 

' At present, indeed, I seem to have transgressed 
those bounds, but it is in obedience to my mistress 
Adiram, who presides over the faithful family of 
Sadak. It is she who speaks in me, and who 
means to speak comfort to the heart-broken Kalas- 
rade : she it is that saith — 

' O beauteous mourner, and slave of the oppres- 
sor, fear not misfortunes, which are the tests of 
virtue, and not the rotten fruit of infirmity. The 
malicious shall not always triumph ; the staff 
whereon the wicked lean shall rot and decay. When 
clouds hover above the fields, the drops of fatness 
descend; when the storm passeth over the city, the 
days of health are at hand. It is the glory of the 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 267 

faithful to bear afflictions with patience, and to 
oppose the temptations of evil with fortitude and 
firmness.' 

As the bird was continuing to speak the lessons 
of its mistress Adiram, the chief of the eunuchs en- 
tered the apartment, and the little chorister flew 
swiftly away through the window, among the trees 
in the garden of the seraglio. Doubor, as he 
entered, approached to the sofa of Kalasrade, and 
fell prostrate before her. 

' Lovely Kalasrade,' said the trembling eunuch, 
1 it is to the intercession of Elar, the father of thy 
lord, that Doubor owes the spirit which enlivens 
him. — When Elar, the father of Sadak, fought by 
the side of Mahomet his lord, on the confines of 
Sclavonia, and the inhabitants of Zagrah fled be- 
fore him, my widowed mother, with her family, 
were among the number of the fugitives : but as 
she held a daughter in each hand, and was laden 
with me, an infant, upon her back, she was soon 
unable to keep up with her brethren, whose con- 
cern was so urgent for themselves, that they re- 
fused to bear any part of her burden. 

* My mother, Idan, finding it in vain to fly with 
her children, and resolving not to leave them 
behind her to the merciless fury of her enemies, 
sat down by the road-side, and while I hung on 
the breast, embraced, with the utmost tenderness, 
her two daughters. Ere she had completed her 
caresses, the outskirts of Mahomet's army ap- 
peared. Two Janissaries first reached the miser- 
able widow : they examined her features ; but age 
had spread the veil of safety on her cheeks. The 
daughters of the wretched widow next excited 
their attention ; the countenance of Liberak, the 
eldest, bedewed with tears, appeared like the melt- 
ing snow ; and the bloom of Hirab, the second, 



268 TALES OF THE GENII, 

shone through the pearly drops that hung upon t 
her face, as the rose-bud laden with the dew of 
night. 

' ' Be this my prey,' said the first Janissary ; and 
seized on the elegant Liberak. c And be this mine,' 
said his comrade, laying hold of the blush-covered 
Hirab. 

' Idan, my mother, awaking from her trance of 
sorrows by the rude onset of the two Janissaries, 
called aloud on her Christian God for relief, and 
held each daughter firmly by the hand, while the 
Janissaries endeavoured to loosen her hold ; which 
the first not effecting so easily as he hoped, drew 
his scimitar and severed her hand and her daughter 
from the miserable Idan. His comrade, observing 
the brutal success of his fellow-soldier, drew his 
scimitar likewise, and was about to gain his prize 
by the same kind of cruelty, when Elar, the 
captain of the band, rode up, and seeing the ac- 
cursed design of the Janissary, with his uplifted 
scimitar hewed him to the ground. 

' The first Janissary, seeing the fate of his com- 
rade, fled ; and Elar gave orders that Idan and her 
children should be preserved : he set a guard over 
her, and sent, with several slaves, one experienced 
in the knowledge of physic, to bind up her wound : 
but the kind efforts of Elar were vain; my mother 
fainted with loss of blood, and before proper as- 
sistance could be procured, expired in the arms of 
her helpless daughters. 

' Liberak and Hirab, the children of Idan, fell 
on the face of their mother, and ceased not to 
mourn over their unhappy parent ; neither could 
the attendants whom Elar had provided prevail on 
them to receive the least refreshments. They con- 
tinued, during the pursuit of the Turks after the 
Sclavonians, which lasted three days, immoveable 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 269 

on the body of their dear mother Idan, while I 
was nourished by one of the slaves of Elar. 

' Sorrow and fatigue soon put an end to the lives 
of Liberack and Hirab, the duteous daughters of 
the deceased Idan : and I was left a helpless infant 
in the arms of the slaves of Elar ; who, after the 
return of the army from pursuing their enemies, 
presented me to Elar, with an account of the death 
of my mother and my sisters. Elar, perceiving a 
liveliness in my looks, sent the slave with me 
to Mahomet, who gave orders that I should be 
admitted into his seraglio : and one of the first 
things I learned there, was this history from the 
mouth of a slave who was appointed to be my 
nurse. Wherefore be not surprised, beauteous 
Kalasrade, at my affection for Sadak, the son of 
my lord Elar, by whose generous intercession I 
became a servant of Mahomet, and was afterwards, 
by the favour of the mighty Amurath, exalted to 
this post of confidence and honour. But alas ! 
how will my desire to serve Sadak be believed, 
when it is known that I, by the command of Amu- 
rath, corrupted his slaves, and assisted them in 
bringing the wife of my lord into this seraglio I 

' Indeed, faithful Kalasrade, my ignorance must 
plead my excuse : bred up in this palace, I knew no 
law but the will of my master ; and I believed that 
every woman must esteem it her greatest happiness 
to become the wife of the mighty Amurath. But 
the despair of Sadak's beauteous wife, her con- 
stancy, and her contempt of every grandeur when 
the price of unfaithfulness, have convinced me 
how much more I have distressed the noble 
Sadak, and to what a precipice I have dragged 
the much-injured Kalasrade : and yet, what had 
my refusal to obey Amurath benefited your cause? 
Death had been my instant reward, and some more 



2J0 TALES OF THE GENII. 

savage heart had been procured to direct the 
bloody resolves of Amurath against you. Yet I 
plead not my own excuse ; but mean, ere it be too 
late, to serve the much-injured wife of Sadak, the 
son of my patron Elar.' 

' If you mean to serve me, Doubor, (though 
much I suspect the integrity of your tale,) lead 
me this instant,' said the lovely Kalasrade, ' out 
of the seraglio, and waft me over to the dwelling 
of Sadak, my lord.' 

' What ! ' answered Doubor, ' is Kalasrade such 
a stranger to the watchful keepers of this seraglio, 
that she supposes it possible for any one to escape 
unobserved through the various guards which sur- 
round it ! Know you not, beloved of Sadak, that 
numberless mutes and eunuchs watch it night and 
day within ; and without are stationed a thousand 
Janissaries both by water and by land ? No, fair 
captive ! there is no escape from these walls, unless 
Amurath consent.' 

' Is this, base Doubor ! ' answered Kalasrade, 
' your promised comfort, that you officiously come 
to certify me of my ruin ? Thou art, indeed, a 
Christian renegade, and no Turk; for thou de- 
lightest to torment those whom thou canst not 
save. Sadak ! Sadak ! was it for this thy father 
Elar preserved this Christian's blood, that he 
should be the chief engine of Amurath's malice 
against thee ? Such tales as these are fitting to 
drive pity from a warrior's breast, and to justify 
the slaughter of those who spare neither sex nor 
age ! ' 

4 It were hard,' answered Doubor, the chief of 
the eunuchs, ' to condemn the fierce courser, be- 
cause he cannot fly without the assistance of the 
earth whereon he bounds ; or to extirpate the 
olive-tree, because it bears not the luscious clusters 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 27 1 

of the vine. Although Doubor is unahle to re- 
lease the fair Kalasrade, yet he may find some ex- 
pedient to drive off the completion of Amurath's 
designs.' 

< Ah ! faithful Doubor ! ' said Kalasrade, con- 
vinced of her injudicious hastiness, ' forgive the 
wild sallies of a distempered mind : I am satisfied 
of your kind intention, and I wait with impatience 
to hear your instruction and advice.' 

' Jealousy of the noble Sadak,' said the eunuch 
Doubor, ' is the ruling passion of Amurath's 
mind; it slumbered for many years, but recent 
events have kindled it afresh. He loves Kalas- 
rade, but far more does he hate her lord. Let 
not Kalasrade, therefore, oppose by open force 
the will of her Sultan, but let her seek to ward 
off her evil fortune by other means ; and above 
all, let her trust in Alia. The means I would 
suggest, then, O wife of Sadak, are these : — In 
the wide ocean is a large island, surrounded by 
inaccessible rocks and deceitful quicksands ; in 
the centre of which, from a rising ground, runs 
a small spring, whose waters are of such a nature, 
that whoever drinks of them immediately forgets 
whatever has passed before in their lives : but 
these waters are beset with such insurmountable 
difficulties, that no one hath ever been able to 
draw of that stream, though thousands have 
perished in the undertaking. 

'When Amurath, then, next enters into these 
apartments, appear submissive and humble be- 
fore him ; and when he presses you to accept of 
his hand, promise to yield to his wishes, on one 
condition, — that he procures for you the Waters 
of Oblivion, that you may forget all your former 
life with Sadak, and may be made fit to receive the 
conqueror of the earth as your lord. 5 



272 TALES OF THE GENII. 

1 Ah, Doubor ! Doubor ! ' answered Kalasrade, 
'how can I prevail upon myself, even in deceit, 
to speak so disrespectfully of Sadak, the beloved 
of my soul ! Sadak, may I be indeed the ty- 
rant's mistress when my base heart forgets its 
union with Sadak its lord ! ' 

' Consider, faithful consort of Sadak,' answered 
Doubor, ' what otherwise may be your doom — 
what may be the doom of Sadak. But I had 
not dared to have stayed thus long at the feet 
of Kalasrade, unless Amurath had sent me to 
soften your heart : I will now return, and pre- 
pare him to be deceived by the request of his 
Sultana.' 

' Ah, Doubor,' said Kalasrade, ' if you mean to 
serve me, never again let me hear that detested 
name : Sultana, to me, is a worse sound than 
poverty and contempt can frame ! ' 

The chief of the eunuchs bowed to the earth, 
and withdrew from the presence of Kalasrade. 

6 The tale of Doubor,' said Kalasrade to herself, 
as the chief of the eunuchs left the room, ' may 
be only a fertile invention to amuse and soften the 
rigorous sorrows of my heart ; but as they cannot 
change my fixed resolves, I will act as though I 
believed them. If there is truth in his words, 
his device may, at worst, put off for a time the 
misfortune I have too much reason to dread.' 

The mind of Kalasrade was so greatly eased by 
the instruction of the bird of Adiram, and the de- 
vices of Doubor the chief of the eunuchs, that on the 
third day she suffered the slaves to adorn her, and 
partook of the delicacies which were set before 
her. In the evening, the slaves of the seraglio 
warned Kalasrade of Amurath' s approach ; and as 
he entered, the beauteous wife of Sadak fell with 
her face to the earth. 



• SADAK AND KALASRADE. 273 

* Kalasrade,' said Amurath, • let me know, ere 
you arise from the earth, whether you have well 
weighed the consequence of slighting the honour 
destined to you by the monarch of the Faithful ? ' 

1 Light of the Faithful and lord of the earth,' 
answered the prostrate Kalasrade, ' the preference 
you have shown an object unworthy of your notice 
can never be sufficiently acknowledged by your 
slave. But, my lord, mention not the mighty 
honours you mean to heap upon me, lest my daz- 
zled fancy totter with the towering thought, and 
my overcharged reflection sink into the long slum- 
bers of. eternal night.' 

' Blessed and unexpected change ! ' said the 
transported Amurath, raising up the trembling 
Kalasrade in haste, ' what were those words that I 
suffered to fall so soon to the earth ? Kepeat them, 
beautiful Kalasrade, ten thousand times in mine 
ears, and ask your own reward for the sweet labour 
I have imposed upon you.' 

' Alas ! alas ! ' continued Kalasrade, * can the 
mighty Amurath stoop to raise the age-stricken 
wife of Sadak ? Shall the mother of a numerous 
family, — shall the exile from the shores of the 
Bosphorus, become the favourite of Amurath, and 
the Sultana of the Othman court ! No, Kalas- 
rade, foolish Kalasrade ! Amurath laughs at thy 
folly, and has raised thee to this height, to make 
thy fall more terrible.' 

* By the sacred blood of the Prophet which ani- 
mates me, I swear, O Kalasrade, I mean to fulfil 
the words I have spoken, and thou alone shalt be 
the Sultana of my heart ! ' 

' But will the mighty Amurath consent to one 
request of his slave ; will he bear with Kalasrade, 
to grant her one petition in which her happiness 
is concerned ? ' 



274 TALES OF THE GENII. 

' Ah, Kalasrade ! ' said Aniurath, starting, l be- 
ware of all past reflections ; for, if the hated 
Sadak be the subject of thy request, thou shalt 
indeed be cast to infamy and scorn.' 

1 The name of one who has deserved Amurath's 
hatred,' replied Kalasrade, * be far from the tongue 
of Kalasrade ! O gracious Prince, dismiss such 
ungenerous suspicions from your mind! — But 
that, alas ! is vain to hope, and I must still be 
wretched. No, mighty Amurath, expect no happi- 
ness with her who must ever disturb thy joys with 
the thoughts of what she once has been. How shall 
I meet my Prince with the noble ardour he re- 
quires, when my poor mind shall be weighed down 
with the remembrance of my former life ? ' 

' Ten thousand pleasures,' replied Amurath, 
1 shall hourly surround you ; the sun and moon 
shall alike be witnesses of our eternal festivals ; 
the dance, the song, the sprightly music, the 
masque, the feast, the show, shall all succeed in 
quick rotation, and drive from your pleased fancy 
every former thought. Each wish of your heart 
shall be so quickly gratified, your fertile mind 
shall toil to recollect its wants.' 

' Prince of my life,' answered Kalasrade, ' though 
I must not doubt your power, nor your desire to 
please ; yet will the mind, stretched out by the 
long scenes of pleasure, oft recoil upon its former 
self, and embitter the undeserved joys my Prince 
shall heap upon me.' 

1 To prove my sincerity, and to show you how 
soon I mean to gratify every thought Kalasrade 
forms,' said Amurath, ' let me hear the request of 
your lips : but see it glance not upon Sadak's love.' 

' Gracious Amurath,' said Kalasrade, ' forgive a 
slave's presumption, and I will speak.' 

' Speak the whole wishes of thy heart/ replied 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 275 

Amurath, 'and if they offer no obstacle to our 
union, though my empire were the price, I would 
purchase fair Kalasrade's peace.' 

' There is, my lord,' said Kalasrade, ' as I have 
heard, a spring, whose waters are of such a nature, 
that whoever drinks of them immediately forgets 
whatever has passed before in their lives. Let my 
lord then swear unto his slave that, ere he raises 
her to share his greatness, he will procure her a 
draught of those soothing waters. It is written 
in the book of her fate, that not until she has 
swallowed a draught from that spring, can she be- 
come the wife of Amurath.' 

' Yes, lovely Kalasrade,' said the Sultan, ' I will 
swear by Mahomet, our holy Prophet, never to 
come into your presence till I have procured you a 
taste of that stream, provided you can find any 
one within two days, who can describe to me the ' 
place where it rises.' 

Kalasrade then fell at the feet of Amurath, and 
said, — ' Thou hast made the heart of thy slave to 
rejoice ; thou hast not only lifted her from obscu- 
rity, but thou hast renewed the streams of her life ; 
that having lost all memory of the past, she may 
seek to please her lord, without diffidence at the 
thoughts of her former state.' 

' Beauteous Kalasrade,' said Amurath, ' arise, — 
I have sworn by Mahomet, and I will hasten to 
gratify the desire of my Kalasrade.' 

At these words Amurath left the fair Kalasrade, 
inwardly rejoicing at the success of Doubor's ad- 
vice ; and hastened to call unto him the sage Ba- 
lobor, who was acquainted with every natural pro- 
duction of the earth. 

1 Balobor,' said Amurath, as the sage came into 
his presence, ' can you describe to me the place 
where that spring may be found, whose waters are 

T2 



276 TALES OF THE GENII. 

of such a nature, that whoever drinks of them 
immediately forgets whatever has passed before in 
his life?' 

' If the mighty Amurath, ' answered the sage 
Balobor, f will permit me to retire to my books, I 
will, ere the morning's sun, discover to my prince, 
if the earth produces such a spring, where it may 
be found.' 

As soon as Balobor was gone forth from the 
presence of Amurath, the impatient Prince sent 
after the chief of his eunuchs, and inquired of him 
where the spring of the Waters of Oblivion might 
be found. 

Doubor perceived, by the question of his lord, 
that Kalasrade had succeeded : but the prudent 
eunuch cared not to confess his knowledge of that 
spring ; he therefore disguised his words, and said: 
— ' Son of the Faithful, thy slave has never been 
bred in the natural sciences ; but if my lord will 
permit me to go in quest of the wise philosopher 
Balobor, he will doubtless unfold to my Prince the 
secret springs of the Waters of Oblivion.' 

' It is enough,' said Amurath, ' faithful Doubor ; 
Balobor has promised by to-morrow's sun to reveal 
to me the fountains of Oblivion.' 

While Amurath was in search of the Waters of 
Oblivion, the gentle Kalasrade was in secret prais- 
ing the bounteous Alia, who had for a time pre- 
served her from the tyrant's will. 

The next morning the sage Balobor appeared in 
the presence of Amurath, and said : — ' The Waters 
of Oblivion, mighty Amurath, are jDreserved by 
a watchful race of Genii, in a wide-extended island 
in the southern parts of the Pacific Ocean. The 
island itself is fortified by inaccessible precipices, 
and beset with pointed rocks ; around it are spread 
insidious quicksands, to prevent the approach of 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 277 

any vessel, and which sink with the weight of those 
who attempt to venture upon them. What dangers 
surround the spring, which is situated in the centre 
of the island, none can tell ; for, although thousands 
have attempted to seek after it, none have ever suc- 
ceeded ; hut destruction has overwhelmed them in 
the very entrance of their toils.' 

At the words of the sage Balohor, the countenance 
of Amurath was overcast with frowns, and the tem- 
pest which raged in his breast strove for utterance 
in his face ; but the disappointed monarch endea- 
voured to conceal his discontent, and retired from 
the apartment whither Balobor had been ordered 
to attend him. 

Amurath, vexed and enraged at the contrivance 
of Kalasrade, hastened to the female seraglio, 
meditating vengeance on Sadak and his wife : but 
as he went along a thought glanced across his imagi- 
nation, and he stopped to pause on the malice his 
heart was framing against the innocent victims of 
his wrath.- — * Sadak,' said the monarch to himself, 
1 the proud Sadak, still pursues his inquiries after 
Kalasrade : I will command him to appear in my 
presence, and heap the vengeance due to Kalasrade's 
falsehood on his head.' 

Amurath then gave orders for his Janissaries to 
bring Sadak before him ; not by compulsion, but 
to consult with him, as one who had formerly ex- 
perienced the favours of his lord. The Janissaries 
found the melancholy Sadak instructing his little 
ones, in the village whither they had retired from 
the flames of his palace. They showed him the 
signet of Amurath, and required his immediate 
attendance. 

* Alas ! ' said the afflicted mourner, ' doth Amurath 
again mean to jest with his slave, that he calls me 
from this poor recess ! When the trumpet sounded 



278 TALES OF THE GENII. 

to war, Sadak, nursed in camps, was not summoned 
to his lord. But I obey ; obedience and submission 
are the most welcome tributes that a slave can 
offer.' 

The Janissaries having brought the wretched 
Sadak into the presence of Amurath, retired. 

' Brave soldier,' said Amurath, * hath the peaceful 
sloth of retirement yet unstrung your manly heart, 
or are you still the undaunted warrior I once knew 
you ? Can the shrill trumpet's sound, and the 
hollow murmurs of the brazen cymbal, rouse the 
fire of war in all your soul ; or are you relaxed, by 
the soft voice of love, into the inactive slumbers of 
a life of ease ? Say, brave companion of my former 
toils, were Amurath again to take the field, would 
Sadak headlong plunge into the rapid stream? 
Would he, laden with war's heavy trophies, again 
climb the ragged precipice, or sleep on beds of 
snow, or stand, undaunted, in the bloody struggle 
of contending armies ? ' 

' Dead as I am to pleasure, noble Amurath,' said 
Sadak, ' yet were my Prince's voice to call me to 
the field, Sadak again should live in arms, and 
court the toils and horrors of war's bloody stage. 
Yes, Amurath, at thy command, this arm should fix 
the standards of our faith on Russia's frozen bounds, 
or on the burning sands of Afric's distant shore.' 

' Brave, noble Sadak ! ' said the false Amurath, 
embracing him, ' I cannot doubt your truth ; though 
the base minions of my court have stained that 
name they long have envied, with their mean sur- 
mises.' 

' A courtier's malice, mighty Amurath,' replied 
Sadak, ' is beneath a soldier's notice ; and best is 
answered, when occasion calls, by deeds which their 
dastard minds shall shudder to relate.' 

'Such deeds,' replied the artful monarch, 'Amu- 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 279 

rath hath in store for Sadak's arms to execute ; 
deeds which wear the fiercest countenance of dan- 
ger, and which none but Sadak dare to undertake.' 

( My Prince,' answered Sadak, ' Sadak is ready 
to receive your commands : but the day is ill spent 
in words, when action can only approve my worth.' 

\ Sadak,' answered Amurath, 'the malicious whis- 
pers of my courtiers concerning your worth have 
much disturbed me ; and I mean to-morrow, in the 
public divan, to give you a glorious opportunity of 
convincing their little souls how greatly the soldier 
towers above the safe advisers of the cabinet. Fail 
not, generous Sadak, to be present ; and I will, in 
the sight of my own court, require some one to 
stand forth, and undertake a voyage in quest of the 
Waters of Oblivion, which are guarded by every 
natural barrier, and the united efforts of a race of 
evil Genii. Then, when a tame silence follows my 
proposal, and the base courtiers hang their coward 
heads, my brave Sadak shall arise, and challenge 
to himself the glorious undertaking.' 

Sadak bowed at the words of Amurath, and said : 
1 Lord of the Faithful, far be it from Sadak to prove 
unworthy of his master's love.' 

The artful Amurath, having thus prepossessed the 
mind of Sadak, went not into the apartments of 
Kalasrade, but waited, with great solicitude, the 
arrival of the next day. 

As the all-diffusive light of morn appeared, which 
shines alike upon the care-worn countenance of the 
guilty wretch and on the open face of artless inno- 
cence, Amurath arose, impatient till the hour of 
public audience came ; when, being seated on his 
throne, amidst the nobles of his court, and seeing 
the faithful Sadak at the extremity of the divan, 
he thus began his deceitful speech : — 

1 Nobles and warriors, who, by your counsels and 



280 TALES OF THE GENII. 

exploits in arms, cast various lustres on my throne ; 
say, where shall Amurath find that brave resolved 
heart, who will engage to procure for him the 
Waters of Oblivion, which are preserved in a far 
distant isle, defended by quicksands, monstrous 
rocks, the perils of the waves, and flames of fire ? 
Genii are its guardians, and all nature is com- 
bined to save it from man's possession. — Such an 
acquisition, nobles, would manifest to all the earth 
the superiority of your monarch, and the bravery 
of his subjects. Who is there then, among your 
ranks, dares hope to add such lustre to my throne, 
and such honour to himself? But speak not, no- 
bles, unless a fixed resolve attend your speech. 
To undertake, and not succeed, would wither, and 
not increase, the laurels we have already won in 
amis : wherefore, be these the terms on which the 
noble adventurer issues forth : — Let him be sworn 
not to turn back till he have the water in possession : 
let him, likewise, forfeit his life, if he depart not 
in search of this water ere the remainder of this 
moon be worn away.' 

As Amurath left off speaking, a general silence 
succeeded ; and the eyes of all were turned upon 
Sadak. The noble Sadak, perceiving no one offer, 
stood up, and advanced towards the throne. 

' Descendant of Mahomet, and lord of thy crea- 
tures,' said Sadak, and bowed before Amurath, 
' behold the hand of thy slave is prepared to execute 
the desires of thy heart : and here I swear, in this 
august assembly, never to return back till I have 
procured the waters ; and ere three days be passed 
shall the face of Sadak be set toward the dangers 
that surround the Fountain of Oblivion.' 

' Thanks, noble Sadak,' said Amurath aloud, 
' thanks for this proffered service, which my nobles 
feared to undertake : and I thus swear before the 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 251 

face of heaven, that when Sadak returns I will 
make either him, or one of his family, the second 
in honour throughout all my dominions.' 

The beguiled Sadak understood not the base 
meaning of his lord : but he fell at his feet, and 
kissed the earth whereon Amurath stood. The chief 
of the eunuchs, seeing the noble Sadak in the divan, 
passed by his side as he was retiring, and whis- 
pered : — ' Wait a few minutes, much injured Sadak, 
and I will convey into your hands the words of 
comfort.' 

Sadak was astonished at the speech of the eu- 
nuch ; and now his heart began to misgive him, 
and tumults arose in his breast. Before the crowd 
were dissipated out of the divan, the eunuch slipped 
a note into Sadak's bosom ; and the much afflicted 
warrior retired with it to the rocks which are behind 
the city, and there read as follows : 

' Doubor, who oweth his life to the generous 
interposition of thy father Elar, is distressed for his 
friend. Alas ! noble Sadak, Kalasrade is in the 

royal seraglio, and Amurath is what my hand 

dare not write ! He, alone, who has undertaken to 
procure the Waters of Oblivion, is able to enter 
the seraglio of Amurath. Doubor has no command 
without; but should Sadak escape through the 
Janissaries, and scale the wall at the eastern part 
of the garden, Doubor will this night watch his 
approach, and convey him to the apartments of the 
wretched Kalasrade. May Alia forbid that the 
life which Elar saved shall be sacrificed by the 
imprudence of Sadak ! ' 

' O Mahomet, the prophet of the just ! ' said 
Sadak, as he read the scroll of Doubor, the chief 
of the eunuchs, ' is it possible that Amurath hath 
done this wrong to the hand which raised him ! 
Was it for this I covered him with the shield of 



282 TALES OF THE GENII. 

strength in the day of hattle ? Was it for this I 
plunged in the rapid stream, and bore him, breath- 
less, to the distant rock, when he fled from the face 
of his enemies to the sea of Azoph ? Who recon- 
ciled Amurath to his mutinous Janissaries, when, 
offended at his avarice, they demanded the plunder 
of Lepanto ? Who preserved him from the fury of 
Irac, the rebellious son of Porob, who endeavoured 
to depose him in the seraglio of his ancestors? 
Who, but that man whom he hath basely robbed of 
all his substance, — plundered of heaven's best 
treasure, the lovely Kalasrade,- — and betrayed into 
a rash vow to leave the Othman empire and his 
just revenge, to seek, in distant seas, the various 
countenance of death ! But what revenge could 
Sadak meditate against the blood of his Prince? 
would he wish to make his private injuries the 
cause of public shame ? would he strive to glut his 
malice on the ruins of the faith of Mussulmen, 
and the Othman majesty ! And yet, soul of Hfe ! 

beauteous and constant Kalasrade ! shall Sadak, 
undisturbed, behold the afflictions of his love ? 
Shall Kalasrade lift up the hand of supplicating 
virtue and pour forth in vain the tears of constancy, 
and Sadak stand unmoved at the voice of his be- 
loved ? O Prophet ! holy Prophet ! whither must 

1 turn? Not against my Prince, for whom his 
slaves live ; not against thy truth, which the blood 
of the Faithful hath planted and nourished on the 
fertile plains of Europe and Asia. Must I then 
bear the curses of Amurath ? Ah ! that is tenfold 
death ! Must I rebel against one who was once my 
friend, and is still the lord of his slave? — But 
doubts are vain. The vows I have made in the 
divan bar all other views : yet ere I go, a voluntary 
exile from the plains of the Faithful, I will see 
Kalasrade, or perish by the slaves which surround 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 283 

her. She is mine, though the arm of power op- 
press her ; and Amurath, who once held the sacred 
vow most solemn, cannot hlame that love which 
leads me to my lawful treasure.' 

These reflections fixed Sadak in his resolution 
of attempting to enter the seraglio ; and he re- 
turned to the city, in order to procure such things 
as might be necessary to assist him in his under- 
taking. Going to the Bezestein, he ordered an 
iron to be made with five hooks-, and an eye in the 
centre ; and at the silk-merchant's bought a cord 
of silk fifty feet in length ; he also purchased a 
small iron trowel and a poniard. 

Having these things in his possession, in the 
evening he went down to the water side, between 
Pera and Constantinople ; and suddenly unloosing a 
small boat, he launched it in the gulf of Keratius, 
and swiftly rowed to Kiscula, which is on a rock on 
the shore of Asia, facing the eastern part of the 
seraglio. Here the determined Sadak rested on 
his oars till the clouds of night had shortened the 
vigilant sight of the Janissaries and the tide was 
fallen from the walls of the palace ; when, paddling 
towards the seraglio, he advanced in his boat within 
six hundred paces of the shore. 

A part of the guard who were then going round 
on the beach to examine the walls, halted at the 
sound of Sadak's oars, and made a signal for a 
galley which lay near them to come up. 

The slaves in the galley obeyed the Janissaries, 
and, coming alongside the shore, took them on 
board. The Janissaries directed them to row 
towards the place where they imagined they had 
heard the paddling of oars, and in a few minutes 
Sadak perceived one of the Sultan's galleys ad- 
vancing towards him. The bold Sadak, pleased 
at the success of his stratagem, gently glided out 



284 TALES OF THE GENII. 

of the boat into the water, and diving wide of the 
galley, sometimes rising for breath, and at other 
times continuing to strike forward under the 
water, he in a short time reached the shore, and 
landed between Sera Burni and the gate of Top- 
capu, through which his beloved was hurried by 
the slaves of the seraglio. 

Sadak, knowing that his time might not be 
wasted (as the Janissaries, finding no one in the 
boat would soon return to the shore), immediately 
pulled out the iron with the five hocks, and the 
silken cord, and fastening them together, he threw 
the hook over the wall, which catching on the top, 
by means of the silken cord Sadak raised himself 
upon the wall ; then, again fixing the hook on the 
inner side, in such a manner as he might loosen 
it from the wall by shaking it backward and for- 
ward, he quickly descended into the gardens of 
the seraglio, and unhitching the iron from the 
wall with a few shakes of the cord, he took out 
his trowel, and buried them in the earth ; then 
hastening towards a thicket of small trees and 
shrubs, he hid himself therein. 

Here Sadak had time to collect his thoughts ; 
but he was hardly covered by the bushes before 
he heard the galley on the opposite side of the 
wall strike against the shore, and could distin- 
guish the voices of the Janissaries descending 
from its sides. By their conversation he learned 
that they were alarmed at finding a boat without 
any one in it ; and, as they hastened towards the 
gate Topcapu, he doubted not but they would 
shortly rouse the guards of the seraglio. In the 
midst of these thoughts, Sadak heard the fall of 
feet approaching toward him ; and presently one 
drew near the bushes, and was entering into the 
very place where Sadak was concealed. Although 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 285 

the frame of Saclak was more disturbed at the ap- 
proach of the stranger than it had ever been in 
the held of blood, yet he neglected not to draw 
his poniard; and as the stranger entered among 
the bushes, he seized him, and was about to strike 
the steel into his heart, when Doubor cried out, 
■ Sadak, destroy not thy friend ! ' The spirits of 
Sadak having been hurried by the noise of the 
Janissaries, made him forget the appointment of 
Doubor to meet him in the garden ; but when he 
perceived the grateful eunuch, he dropped the 
poniard on the earth, and said : 

* friend of my bosom ! forgive the fears and 
the distractions of the miserable Sadak, who in 
mad fury had nearly sacrificed his comforter, and 
driven the poniard of suspicion into the breast 
of the tender-hearted Doubor ! ' 

* Noble Sadak ! ' answered the chief of the 
eunuchs, ' I wonder not at your suspicions ; it is 
a hard task for the brave to dissemble, or for the 
generous warrior to descend to the dark deeds of 
a midnight robber. But let us hasten towards the 
seraglio : yet, before we issue forth out of this 
thicket, let me help you to dress yourself in the 
habit of a mute ; the garments are hidden in the 
thicket behind ; and I was coming to see whether 
they were safe, against your arrival, when you 
seized me by the arm.' 

Sadak was pleased at the proposal of the chief 
of the eunuchs ; and, stripping himself, he left his 
own garments concealed in the thicket, and put- 
ting on the mute's habit, followed Doubor toward 
the female seraglio. 

Doubor, advancing toward the seraglio, made 
a sign for the eunuchs, which were placed at the 
gates, to retire; and entering, he bade his mute 
follow him to the apartments of Kalasrade. The 



250 TALES OF THE GENII. 

joy of Sadak, at the thoughts of again viewing his 
beloved, and his fears, lest any unfortunate dis- 
aster should discover him, raised alternate storms 
in his breast; but the mighty warrior concealed 
from his countenance the strong passions which 
beset his heart. 

After passing through several galleries, the chief 
of the eunuchs arrived at the apartment of the 
beauteous Kalasrade, and was about to enter, when 
he perceived the royal sandals at the door. Doubor 
started back at the sight. — ' Mahomet ! ' said he 
in a whisper, ' Amurath is risen in the dead of 
night, and entered into Kalasrade 's apartment.' 

The words of Doubor were as deadly poison to 
the heart of Sadak ; the cold hand of death chilled 
his astonished blood, and his weak nature could 
scarcely sustain the mighty shock. 

' Oh, Doubor ! Doubor ! ' said the wretched son 
of Elar, ' support my conflicting frame ! O Dou- 
bor, I am unable to bear this tenfold death ! — 
Ah, tyrant ! ah, my friend ! if I strike, thou must 
perish : if I withhold my arm — O wretched Sadak ! 
O Mahomet ! O Alia ! have I deserved this tor- 
ture ? If I have, strike this rebellious heart ; if 
not, strengthen and support the wretch whom thou 
art pleased to load with ills past human thought ! ' 
As the miserable Sadak thus poured forth his 
griefs in the bosom of his friend, the affrighted 
Doubor pressed his head, and covered it with the 
folds of his garment, that the voice of the wretched 
Sadak might not pierce the walls of the apartment, 
and raise the suspicion of Amurath : but his ut- 
most precaution could not prevent the sighs of 
Sadak, whose wounded and afflicted soul was as 
the wearied boar of the forest, when pierced with 
the darts and javelins of a thousand hunters. 
In the midst of his sighs, the door of the apart- 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 287 

ment opened ; Amurath came forth ; and Sadak, 
leaving the bosom of Doubor, fell with his face 
toward the earth. 

6 Doubor,' said the Sultan, ' where hast thou 
been ? and where are thy guards ? Who is that 
mute whom thou didst cherish in thy bosom ? and 
why art thou here in the dark hour of night ? ' 

' Lord of Princes,' answered Doubor, ' when my 
master retired to his sofa I went to examine the 
guard of eunuchs, and to see that thy slaves were 
faithful to thy trust ; and at my return, perceiving 
that my lord was arisen, I called this mute to me, 
as I was unwilling to disturb my Sultan with the 
feet of his guards ; and followed thee to the apart- 
ment of Kalasrade. But as I tarried here, waiting 
lest my lord should have any command for his 
slave to execute, the poor mute fell sick, and in 
pity I took him to my bosom ; as I have learned, 
from the kindness which my lord shows his slaves, 
to copy, as far as my poor and weak capacity will 
permit, the bright virtues of the favourite of Alia.' 

' Doubor,' said Amurath, ' I commend your care: 
but my soul is ill at ease ; Kalasrade, the wife of 
my slave, hath rejected her monarch — go to her, 
faithful Doubor, with this dagger, which Amurath 
was too weak to use. Slave, obey thy lord, and 
begone ! ' 

The chief of the eunuchs, laying his hand upon 
his breast, bowed down, and said, ' The will of 
Amurath is the law of his slave.' 

No sooner was Amurath gone, than the chief of 
the eunuchs raised up Sadak, and said : — ' Son of 
Elar, friend of my bosom, first in my esteem, 
arise, and let us go to thy Kalasrade.' 

' Yes, faithful, generous Doubor, thou balsam of 
peace to my wounded soul ! thou ray of Heaven on 
the spirits of the afflicted I I will arise and bless 



255 TALES OF THE GENII. 

the Great Fountain of Happiness, for the merciful 
change he has wrought in my favour.' 

At these words Doubor interposed. — ' Permit me, 
fortunate Sadak,' said he, ' to go first unto Kalas- 
rade, and prepare her delicate frame for your re- 
ception, lest the strong tide of returning happiness 
overpower her nature, and faintness, or death, 
again snatch her from her beloved Sadak.' 

The tender Sadak acquiesced in the reasons of 
the chief of the eunuchs, and Doubor hastened to 
impart to Kalasrade the arrival of her beloved. 
After a few minutes, Doubor returned, and entered 
with Sadak into the female apartments. As the 
happy Kalasrade beheld the features of her lord 
under the disguise of a mute, she sprang forward, 
her eyes- enlivened by the transports of her heart, 
and with a fond surprise, half-fearful, half-overjoyed, 
she pressed him in her arms. 

' Ah, dearest Sadak ! ' said she, 'joy of my soul, 
master of my thoughts, life of my heart ! 0, how 
has thy Kalasrade sighed and despaired at thy ab- 
sence ! I have been, my Sadak, like the shriek-owl 
in the wilderness ; I have been, my Sadak, like the 
widowed dove : but now am I as the deer which 
bounds on the sunny plain ; as the bird which sips 
the dew of the morning among the blossoms of the 
orange-grove.' 

' O fond and constant Kalasrade,' answered Sa- 
dak, ' how has my heart sought thee in solitude, 
and found thee not ! I have been, my Kalasrade, as 
the coward in the day of battle ; as the warrior 
disarmed by the treachery of his foe ; as the lion 
in the toils of the hunters ; as the leopard sur- 
rounded by the flood : but now am I like the man 
of valour who bestrides his foe ; like the conqueror 
in the day of triumph : but now am I as the tiger 
springing on his prey ; as the lusty eagle on the 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 289 

clouds of heaven. Yet how, my Kalasrade, has 
female weakness been capable of contending with 
the will of the Son of Othman — even so far, what 
mortal prudence has guided thee ? ' 

• Master of my thoughts,' answered Kalasrade, 
' our Prophet hath heard my prayer, and the bird 
of Adiram hath poured the balsam of comfort into 
my afflicted soul. Nay more, the generous and 
grateful Doubor also hath whispered in my ears the 
words of consolation ; and by the advice of him whom 
Elar thy father preserved from destruction, hath 
Kalasrade triumphed over the wiles of Amurath.' 

As the beauteous Kalasrade uttered these words, 
the countenance of Doubor, the chief of the eu- 
nuchs, fell : but Kalasrade was so intent on con- 
templating the features of her long-lost lord, that 
she perceived not the anxious face of the generous 
Doubor. 

' And by what stratagem,' said Sadak, eagerly, 
' hath Kalasrade rescued herself from the power of 
Amurath ? ' 

' Monarch of my affections/ answered Kalasrade, 
' I challenge not the honour of the device ; it is to 
Doubor's prudence that I owe my safety : he opened 
to me the cause of his friendship for the son of 
Elar, and advised me when Amurath should again 
return to me, that I should use him deceitfully, 
and engage him by a vow, not to make me his 
wife till he should procure for me the Waters of 
Oblivion.' 

'And what concession,' said the stern Sadak, 
' has Kalasrade made the Sultan Amurath, to ob- 
tain from him this mighty and important vow ? ' 

1 Alas ! noble Sadak,' said Doubor, interposing, 
' the wary Sultan hath turned our toils upon our- 
selves, and we are caught in the snare which was 
laid for the foot of Amurath.' 
U 



29O TALES OF THE GENII. 

' What, Doubor,' replied the astonished Kalas- 
rade, ' what doth thy ominous tongue, and the 
stern front of my offended lord, portend ! Ah ! 
said you not that Amurath hath entangled us ? 
Hath he, then, faithful Doubor, made a false use of 
my soothing words ? Hath he injured me in the 
sight of my lord ? ' 

* Peace, gentle and much injured fair one,' said 
Doubor ; ' and dissipate, brave Sadak, the cloud 
on thy brow. Kalasrade never has, nor will pledge 
her faith to Amurath. No, constant pair ! Amu- 
rath, though furious in his revenge, is just and 
perfect in his speech, and would as quickly throw 
off the state of his empire as falsify his oath. But 
briefly thus it is, sweet mistress of brave Sadak's 
heart! the Sultan, nettled at your request, cast 
about how he might make your imagined security 
as irksome to yourself as it was forbidding to him ; 
and therefore he has engaged thy unsuspecting lord, 
by a firm oath, to seek for him the Waters of Obli- 
vion, and never to return to the Othman empire 
till he bring with him the produce of that inacces- 
sible fountain.' 

' What,' said the affrighted Kalasrade, • what 
are the words which have escaped the lips of the 
generous Doubor : Look on me, O Sadak, thou 
much injured lord ! look on her, who by a mean 
device, hath heaped eternal afflictions on thy heart! 
Oh ! curse on this tongue, on this heart, on this 
head, which have all been the wretched instruments 
of Sadak's banishment ! Ah, bird of Adiram ! ah, 
sweet-spoken Doubor ! see you not the poison that 
lurks under the tongue of the adder ! see you not 
the flames which lie beneath the verdant surface of 
the burning Santorini ? Sadak shall wander amidst 
ten thousand deaths. The treacherous sands, my 
love, will sink with thee ; evil Genii will hurl thee 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 291 

from the summit of their rocks ; thy wretched car- 
cass shall be cast upon an unknown shore ; the 
vultures of the air, and the monsters of the deep, 
shall feast on my Sadak.' 

' Fear not, my Kalasrade,' replied Sadak, ' the 
treachery of the tyrant has dissolved the tie which 
bound me to the race of Othman. I leave thee no 
more in the power of Amurath ; this arm shall 
hurl instant vengeance on his head, and avenge 
the wrongs of Kalasrade.' 

' Ah ! furious Sadak,' answered the chief of the 
eunuchs, ' what mean these dark resolves ? But 
think not Doubor intends to stand a tame spectator 
of thy revenge ; faithful to my lord in every just 
command, through me must Sadak reach the heart 
of Amurath. But moderate your rage, bold man, 
and know, though Doubor loves not every deed of 
Amurath, yet will he never prove a traitor to his 
life. While Sadak means no more than to recover 
his Kalasrade, I am bound by gratitude and justice 
to espouse his cause ; but if his murderous heart 
aim at his Prince's life, both gratitude and justice 
call me then to Amurath' s defence.' 
. ' Generous Doubor,' answered Sadak, ' I justly 
stand rebuked : I were indeed a wretch, when holy 
Othman's race is nearly extinct, to rob our faith of 
its last royal leader. No, faithful eunuch, the man 
who, out of private malice, gives confusion to his 
country, and subverts its peace, deserves not pity 
nor relief.' 

'Are these, then,' replied Kalasrade, in tears, 
' the virtuous resolutions of a patriot, to give up 
private happiness to public tyranny? For what 
were Othman's race decreed to rule but for the 
safety of the Faithful ? And if a tyrant violate, . 
unchecked, each social duty ; it is he first robs his 
subjects of their peace. But thou, Sadak, art a 
TJ2 



292 TALES OF THE GENII. 

noble patriot ; thou canst unconcerned behold thy 
palace flaming, and thy wife torn from thy arms ; 
thou canst with meanness crouch before a puny 
lord, in aught but pomp inferior to thyself. Such 
then be Sadak's love, and such his vowed protection 
of Kalasrade's honour : but hear me, Prophet of 
the Just, and thou, pure, heavenly Being, spotless 
and holy God ! Thou who canst protect the 
weakest with thy mighty arm ; 0, give me strength 
to do that which cruel Sadak dares not justify ; and 
make thy trembling votary the instrument of ven- 
geance on the tyrant's head ! ' 

' O beauteous and much injured Kalasrade ! ' 
answered Sadak, ' rather pray that Mahomet would 
fortify thy Sadak's heart, and teach him, in this 
doubtful path, his duty to Kalasrade, and to his 
Prince.' 

6 Alas ! ' interrupted Doubor, the chief of the 
eunuchs, ' I hoped this interview would have ad- 
ministered comfort to the hearts of Sadak and 
Kalasrade : but passion, alas ! has consumed the 
short moments that belonged to love ; for now in 
the east are hung the banners of approaching day, 
and the faint purple light, reflected from the dis- 
tant clouds, warns our retreat. Come, noble Sadak, 
let us leave the beauteous fair, in full assurance 
that Alia will prevent the worst ill you dread, and 
Kalasrade will be preserved to her lord till his 
return.' 

' Leave her, Doubor ! ' answered Sadak, look- 
ing with wild ecstasy on his beloved wife ; * whom 
am I to leave ? ' 

' O Sadak,' interrupted Doubor, ' one moment 
more, and all is* lost ! O Kalasrade, if Sadak ever 
deserved thy love, dismiss him hence, and save 
thyself, thy lord, and me, from instant ruin.' 

1 What ! ' replied the wild Kalasrade, folding her 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 293 

noble Sadak in her arms, ' wilt thou bereave me of 
this polished shaft on whom I twine ? No, base 
eunuch, it is here alone Kalasrade lives ; and Sadak 
lost, my own weak female ami will set me free from 
Amurath.' 

' To leave thee now,' replied Sadak, 'were to 
give thee up a prey : no, Kalasrade ; let the tyrant 
come ; we will disappoint his malice, and both at 
once seek peace beyond the gates of death ! ' 

It was in vain that Doubor attempted to inter- 
rupt the vehemence of Sadak and Kalasrade : for- 
getful of themselves, or of the hazard of their 
friendly eunuch, they seemed resolved that nothing 
more should part them. The distressed eunuch, 
finding every remonstrance vain, departed from the 
apartments of Kalasrade, and hastened to the 
chambers of the Sultan. 

Sadak and Kalasrade, without perceiving the 
chief of the eunuchs had left them, continued call- 
ing Alia and Mahomet to witness their mutual 
constancy and truth. In the midst of these passion- 
ate expressions, the bird of Adiram entered the 
windows of the palace, and perching on the shoulder 
of Sadak, thus delivered the message of his mis- 
tress to the astonished pair : — 

' To comfort the afflicted is the delight of our 
race; and the inhabitants of heaven stoop with 
pleasure to the children of earth, when mercy calls 
them down : for this cause came the voice of con- 
solation to Kalasrade, when the evils of tyranny 
beset her ; Adiram, also, the servant of Mahomet, 
watched over the afflicted fair one, and gave to 
Doubor the feelings of compassion. By his coun- 
sels was Amurath engaged in an inviolable oath to 
abstain from his base purpose, till the Waters of 
Oblivion were obtained ; and Sadak, by his assist- 
ance, was again blessed with the sight of his 



294 TALES OF THE GENII. 

Kalasrade. How have ye, wretched pair, perverted 
these kind purposes of Adiram ! And where is 
that fortitude which first recommended you to the 
tutelage of our immortal race ! By an ill-judged 
perseverance, ye have changed a virtuous con- 
stancy into a vicious self indulgence ; and neg- 
lecting both the bonds of friendship and the 
commands of Mahomet, ye have nearly sacrificed 
Doubor to your folly, and yourselves to the idle 
dreams of uncurbed affection. Though Alia hath 
taught you to submit, and bear with patience the 
evils of life, ye have listened to the fantasies of 
love, and, in the bravery of your hearts, resolved 
to pass together to the gates of death. What then 
are ye, foolish pair, that ye should have dominion 
over that life which Alia breathed into the clay- 
formed tabernacles of your unanimated fiesh? or 
where is the fortitude of flying like cowards from 
the face of danger to the silent grave ? — Yet know, 
while Alia reigns, no evil shall befall the sons of 
infirmity, but such as, patiently endured, may 
work their future good ; and therefore to the Just 
One alone it appertaineth to dismiss from the ser- 
vice of life, or to continue his children in the trials 
of affliction. — Thus saith Adiram, the genius of 
Sadak and Kalasrade, who is now compelled, by 
the law of fate, to leave her pupils to the miseries 
they have entailed upon themselves.' 

The bird of Adiram uttered no more, but flew 
on the elastic surface of the air into the gardens 
of the palace ; while the tender Kalasrade sunk in 
tears on the bosom of her astonished Sadak. The 
bird was no sooner gone forth, than Sadak heard 
the feet of a multitude in the gallery ; and the 
doors of the apartment immediately bursting open, 
the guard of the seraglio entered, and seized on 
the unhappy pair. Sadak, unmindful of himself, 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 295 

endeavoured to defend his beloved; and though 
oppressed by numbers, yet he fell upon the eunuch 
who held his Kalasrade, and tore him to the 
ground. But the resistance of Sadak was vain; 
the guards parted him from Kalasrade, and loaded 
him with chains. As soon as Sadak was secured 
by the guards, the chief of the eunuchs appeared 
at the door of the apartment. 

1 Slaves,' said he aloud, * is the vile miscreant 
Sadak, who hath entered the sacred walls of Amu- 
rath's seraglio, seized?' 

' He is, great Doubor,' answered the guards ; 
' the chain of death is on* him, and we wait but 
your commands to send his soul among those who 
rebel against their Prince.' 

' Hold, slave,' replied Doubor, ' and secure him 
unhurt till the mighty Amurath approach.' 

Sadak was confounded at the appearance and 
behaviour of Doubor; and Kalasrade wished to 
load him with reproach : but she feared she might 
incur the censures of Adiram, as she knew not as 
yet by what means her lord was discovered. 

Ere long, the music of the seraglio sounded ; 
and Doubor, the chief of the eunuchs, perceiving 
that Amurath was near, hasted to receive him. 

* Prince of my life,' said the chief of the eu- 
nuchs, as the royal Amurath came forward with 
the deadly frown on his brow, ' thy slaves have 
secured the enemy of thy peace.' 

' Faithful Doubor,' replied Amurath, ' I com- 
mend thy zeal: but where is this vile miscreant 
who presumes to invade the recesses of Amurath's 
seraglio ? ' 

' Here, tyrant ! ' said the stern Sadak, ( if the 
oppressor dare look upon his injured ' 

The guards who had secured Sadak, perceiving 
by his speech that he meant to insult their Sultan, 



296 TALES OF THE GENII. 

stopped with their hands all farther utterance, and 
gagged him with a bit of iron. The wretched 
Kalasrade, seeing her lord in such distress, broke 
from the guards, and clasping the much-injured 
Sadak in her amis — 

' Yile slave,' said she, * unhand my lord ! ' Then, 
bursting into tears, — * Sadak, noble Sadak ! ' con- 
tinued she; 'joy of my soul and fountain of my 
life ! how have these wretches dared deform thy 
noble image with their bonds of iron ! Why didst 
thou not frown, my love, and fix them motionless 
with awe and fear ! What is this puny Amurath, 
and all his guards, against the noble effort of thy 
uplifted arm ! Alas ! alas ! my Sadak, they have 
bound you, while you slept, with ignominious 
chains ; and now the tyrant laughs at your dis- 
tress ! ' 

As the wild Kalasrade uttered these incoherent 
words, the guards and Doubor stood in fixed 
amazement, fearing to interpose, or use the fair 
one roughly, and yet alarmed at her bold speech. 
Nor was the Sultan less confounded than his 
guards ; each word she uttered stung him to the 
soul ; and yet her beauty and her distress so 
strongly affected Amurath, that his lips refused to 
give forth the commands of his heart. But seeing 
Kalasrade endeavouring to embrace her lord, his 
fury returned, and he cried aloud — 

' Base eunuch, secure that mad female ; — and 
slaves,' continued the enraged Sultan, 'your lives 
shall answer for your base neglect in not destroying 
the rebellious Sadak.' 

The chief of the eunuchs, having secured the 
distressed Kalasrade, gave her into the custody of 
the eunuchs ; and then he commanded the guards 
to put the bowstring upon Sadak. The wild miser- 
able Kalasrade, at the sight of the bowstring, 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 297 

screamed aloud, and fell into the arms of the 
eunuchs ; her fixed eyes were dilated with mad- 
ness, and her teeth shook with the agonies of 
death. Amurath saw the affecting change with 
wild emotion, and fearful lest the soul of Kalas- 
rade should escape, ordered the slaves to release 
Sadak from the bowstring. 

' Slothful Doubor,' said Amurath, ' hasten to my 
Kalasrade's assistance ; for, by the Othman faith I 
swear, ye all shall follow if that fair one perish.' 

The attempts of Doubor and his attendants 
were vain; Kalasrade continued entranced, and 
Amurath, in despair, ordered Sadak to be released, 
that he might endeavour to recover his Kalasrade 
from her alarming trance. As soon as the guards 
had unbound Sadak, and released his mouth, they 
signified to him the Sultan's orders, and led him 
toward the motionless Kalasrade. 

' Happy Kalasrade,' said the brave Sadak, ' I 
trust ere this the Prophet of the Faithful hath 
delivered thee from the tyrant's power ; if not, 
Sadak will not disturb thy fleeting spirit: pro- 
ceed, thou divine spirit of innocence and virtue, 
toward thy eternal mansion, and let not the rude 
breath of Sadak's voice divert thee from thy righte- 
ous course ! ' 

' Ah, blessed Alia ! ' said the faint Kalasrade, re- 
viving at her Sadak's well-known voice, ' where am 
I ? in what blissful seat hast thou placed me, where 
the music of my Sadak's voice sings comfort to my 
soul ? Ah ! surely the trance of death is passed, 
and I am far removed from Amurath and all his 
curses ! ' 

' Unfortunate Kalasrade ! ' said Sadak, starting, 
* art thou again returned from the sweet sleep of 
death to new-invented scenes of misery ! Then 
bind me, slaves, again, and fix the bowstring to 



298 TALES OF THE GENII. 

my neck : once more, thou virtuous partner of my 
heart, I call thy faithful soul away. — Tyrant ! re- 
lease me from the world ; for now I know Kalas- 
rade will not stay behind.' 

- No, proud rebel,' said Amurath, ' when Kalas- 
rade's life is at stake, thy being is of trivial 
moment ; at present live, that she may live. But 
I demean my royalty in holding speech with such 
a slave. — Doubor, separate these stubborn spirits, 
and for Kalasrade's sake, let Sadak, though con- 
fined, want not life's comfort. But, eunuch, watch 
with steady eye my fair Sultana ; supply her wants 
unbidden ; yet, on your life, take care her frantic 
wildness is not suffered to prey upon herself: and, 
Doubor, when these things are executed according 
to the will of thy lord, let me see thee in the 
Palace of Pictures.' 

At these words the Sultan Amurath retired ; and 
Doubor having executed his commission, hastened 
to meet his lord. 

' Faithful eunuch,' said Amurath, as he entered, 
' I am pleased at thy contrivance : it had been dan- 
gerous, as thou well observest, to have seized on 
Sadak, the favourite of the Janissaries, in the pub- 
lic face of day ; but now, by thy artifice, his life is 
forfeit, and the silent bowstring will, unheard, re- 
lease me from this enemy of my peace and love. 
Wherefore I mean, that ere to-morrow's sun sur- 
prise the wide-extended Othman empire, my faithful 
Doubor, with a few attendants, seize on his forfeit 
life.' 

' Lord of the Othman empire,' answered Doubor, 
' I shall obey the law of thy mouth.' 

1 But, Doubor,' said Amurath, ' one circumstance 
still hangs upon my doubtful mind. You say, this 
Sadak entered the seraglio by your permission : 
yet, Doubor, what need was there to bring him in 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 299 

the silent hour of midnight to Kalasrade's apart- 
ment ? to have detected him in our royal gardens, 
were sufficient. Doubor, the thought breeds an- 
guish in my soul ; traitor ! slave ! and Amurath is 
betrayed ! ' 

' Most enlightened of Mussulmen,' answered 
Doubor, ' the slave that dared attempt to deceive 
my lord might justly tremble, as nothing can 
escape thy penetrating eye. But listen to the poor 
excuse of thy slave ere he forfeit the esteem of his 
Sultan. Let the mighty Amurath deign to re- 
member that when he met Doubor with the mute 
at the door of the Sultana's apartment, he put into 
his slave's hand his royal dagger, and bade him 
obey his lord and begone. Fearful of the sinful 
weakness of my own heart, I took with me the 
mute, that if I should fail in my duty, he should 
be at hand to accomplish my lord's commands. 
"When w T e entered the apartment of the fair Kalas- 
rade, and I beheld the wretched mute sink down, 
and call himself her faithful Sadak, I summoned 
the guards with all speed, while I fled to inform 
my Sultan that his enemy had thrown himself once 
more into his power, and sinned anew against the 
clemency of his lord.' 

' Thou art pardoned, Doubor ! but hasten to 
dispatch the presumptuous slave ; each moment 
that he lives increases my disquiet. Yet, remember 
his breath in secret pass, that not a sigh contami- 
nate the air to wound Kalasrade's peace.' 

No sooner was Doubor gone, than the wavering 
Amurath began to repent that he had sent him. 

' How am I divided,' said he, ' by love and honour ! 
Unless the Waters of Oblivion are obtained, my 
sacred oath prevents me even from approaching 
Kalasrade ; and if Sadak dies, who shall be able 
to surmount the dangers that environ the Foun- 



300 TALES OF THE GENII. 

tains of Oblivion! — Guards/ said the anxious 
Sultan, ' call back the slave Doubor ; stop his 
officious haste, and bring him here before your 
Prince.' 

The chief of the eunuchs returned. — ' Peace/ 
said he, ' be to the mighty Amurath ; and may all 
his foes perish from before him ! ' 

' What ! wretched eunuch/ said Amurath hastily, 
' is Sadak numbered with the dead ? ' 

' The word of my lord/ replied Doubor, * was 
pressing, and thy slave hastened to obey thy com- 
mand : but, being recalled so suddenly by thy 
guards, I stopped the slaves who drew the bow- 
string ; and Sadak on his knees expects his doubt- 
ful fate.' 

' Then all is well,' replied Amurath : ' for I mean 
not, Doubor, to. destroy the wretch, through whom 
alone (such has been thy master's folly) must Amu- 
rath hope to obtain the hand of Kalasrade.' 

* Alas !' replied Doubor, the chief of the eunuchs, 
' thy slave doth oft reflect upon the oath which robs 
my Sultan of the haughty fair one ! ' 

' Yet, Doubor, think not,' continued Amurath, 
* that, Christian-like, I mean to break my faith, 
where interest or occasion tempt ; no, I have bound 
this happy Sadak to draw his own destruction from 
the Fountains of Oblivion ; and now, if he fail to 
execute the vow, his life is justly forfeit, and Kalas- 
rade at our own disposal. Wherefore, Doubor, let 
a ship be prepared to convey him to that distant 
island where the Waters of Oblivion are concealed.' 
''Lord of the Othman race,' answered Doubor, 
'I shall haste to obey thy will: nevertheless, if 
the weakness of Doubor's understanding might be 
permitted to unfold itself in the sight of my Prince, 
I would wish my lord appointed some one on whom 
he might depend, as master of the ship in which 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 30I 

the rebel sails. For well thou knowest, mighty 
father of Mussulmen, that Sadak is beloved in the 
army, and the admirals of the fleet look on him 
with partial eyes. Was it not, O Light of the 
world, in the insurrection of the Janissaries, in 
the month Muharrem, that Sadak only was suffi- 
cient to appease the tumult? He then was faithful 
to his lord ; but, now he leaves Kalasrade in thy 
possession, I fear his fierce unconquerable soul 
may easily be led aside from his obedience.' 

' Then, Doubor,' answered Amurath, ' let him 
perish ; for I will bear no rival in my power, or in 
my love : yet surely, Doubor, the soul of Sadak 
will not break through those bonds his faith has 
formed : ere to-morrow's sun new gilds the Hel- 
lespont, his vow must urge him to depart.' 

' True, Prince of the Faithful,' answered 
Doubor ; ' nor need you fear a rival in this Sadak, 
whose pale-glimmering glories are enlivened only 
by the favour of Amurath.' 

' Well then,' replied the Sultan, ' since his courage 
is necessary for our repose, to your care, faithful 
eunuch, I commit him : and let him haste away ; for 
Amurath's haughty mind ill brooks the tortures of 
suspense.' 

The chief of the eunuchs hasted to obey the 
command of Amurath ; and, returning to the dun- 
geon where Sadak expected the end of his fate, he 
ordered the mutes to release him. — Sadak, amazed 
at the order of Doubor, arose; and the mutes, 
having released him, retired. 

' Sadak,' said, Doubor, as the mutes retired, 
' behold the messenger of thy Sultan's mercy, who 
spares thy forfeit life, because thy vow has dedi- 
cated it to thy master's service !' 

'If by thy master's gift alone, O treacherous 
eunuch, I am to possess my life,' said Sadak 



302 -TALES OF THE GENII. 

sternly, ' he sends his mercy to a thankless slave. — 
Mercy ! dare the tyrant thus miscall the malice of 
his heart ? Go, obsequious eunuch, return to thy 
proud pampered master, and tell him, Sadak wants 
not his life upon such slavish terms.' 

' Alas ! unfortunate Sadak,' answered the chief of 
the eunuchs, ' what will the big word avail thee ! 
When Anmrath perceives that you mean not to 
execute the vow you have made, he will hold him- 
self no longer bound by that oath the duteous 
Kalasrade has extorted from him.' 

' Slave,' returned Sadak, ' I understand thee 
not : there is a show of friendship in thy speech, 
and yet methinks I have more to fear when the 
wily serpent glides beside me, than when his angry 
hiss timely proclaims a generous defiance.' 

' The friendship of humanity,' said Doubor 
coolly, ' I owe to all ; nor is my heart sufficiently 
revengeful even to crush the ungrateful adder that 
stings me while I cherish him. — But, Sadak, I 
mean not to gall thee with reproach, but as a friend 
advise thee to submit, where submission only can 
yield thee hopes of comfort.' 

' Friendly Doubor,' answered Sadak, pausing, 
'I submit: but the time prescribed is nearly 
elapsed.' 

' Fear not,' answered Doubor : ' already orders 
are given to equip you ; and ere night you shall be 
conveyed to one of the Othman ships, with an 
able commander to steer you to the destined spot. 
But I can say no more ; Anmrath expects your 
answer, and I haste to proclaim your obedience.' 

Sadak now began to relent, and he accused his 
heart, in suspecting the integrity of the chief of 
the eunuchs. — But Doubor was fled, and Sadak 
left alone in the dungeon of the seraglio. 

' Alia!' said the wretched Sadak, 'to thy all- 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 303 

just protection I commit my faithful Kalasrade : 
thou, who overrulest the princes of the world, canst 
secure her in the fiery trial : relying on thy arm, 
she shall stand as the water-fowl on the rock, and 
see the tempestuous billows of the ocean spend 
their vain force beneath her, unable to wash with 
their rude waves the surface of her clwelling-place. , 

The chief of the eunuchs, having declared to 
Amurath the obedience of Sadak, waited till the 
evening; when, entering the dungeon with the 
guards of the seraglio, they conveyed Saclak through 
the water-gate, to the ship which was prepared to 
sail in quest of the Waters of Oblivion : neither 
had the noble Sadak, by reason of the attendant 
guards, any opportunity of expressing his gratitude 
to Doubor, the chief of the eunuchs. As soon as 
Sadak was embarked, the ship set sail ; and the 
noble son of Elar found that the captain of the 
ship was a Christian renegado : for Doubor had in 
vain sought after one of his own nation who was 
sufficiently skilled in navigation to perform the 
voyage. 

For several days, the ship ran swiftly before the 
wind, and hurried the unfortunate Sadak from the 
place of his beloved, as the vulture bears in his 
talons the panting lamb from its mother's side. 
But these winds were, after a short time, succeeded 
by a calm; in which, being detained from their 
purpose, and a small gale afterwards arising, the 
captain of the vessel put into the island of Surfu, 
and there continued for two months, neither suffer- 
ing his men to land, nor permitting the natives to 
enter his ship. Sadak, though astonished at the 
behaviour of Gehari the captain, yet attempted not 
to leave the ship, but spent his time chiefly in 
solitude and contemplation. 

A small vessel arriving from Constantinople, at 



304 TALES OF THE GENII. 

length brought the captain the orders he expected ; 
and the wind being favourable, he hoisted his sails 
and steered for the Atlantic Ocean. And now they 
were passing the island of Kirigou, when a storm 
arose, and, after many days buffeting against the 
wind, obliged them to sail into the bay which 
embosoms the city of Koron. It w^as in vain the 
citizens made signs for the ship to steer away from 
their port ; the swelling ocean, and the fierce winds 
united, drove them precipitately on the beach ; and 
every one being terrified with the storm, they 
hastened on shore, leaving the ship at anchor near 
the beach. 

f Unhappy mariners ! ' said an aged citizen to 
them, as they walked up the beach, 'you have 
escaped the womb of the sea to be buried in this 
contagious city.' 

The mariners hung down their heads at this 
dreadful declaration : and Sadak perceived that the 
plague was raging in the city of Koron. 

The captain, whose Mahometan name was Gehari, 
ordered the crew to seize on Sadak ; at the same 
time sending notice to the governor of the city, 
that he bore the commission of Amurath, and had 
a state prisoner under his care. Sadak was amazed 
at the captain's behaviour ; for he knew not before 
that he was looked upon as a prisoner, or that 
Gehari had any command over him. 

' My lord,' said Gehari, ' be not alarmed; I have 
no commission to treat you ill ; and if I had, your 
noble behaviour would prevent the execution of it : 
only I w r as commanded, if possible, not to land in 
the Othman empire, and if necessity drove me on 
shore, I was to look upon you as my prisoner/ 

* Gehari,' said Sadak, ' use me as you please ; 
you have the commission of my Prince, before 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 305 

whose lawful will I shall ever prostrate my obedient 
spirit.' 

It was happy for Gehari that this prisoner was 
of a noble temper ; for such was the confusion of 
the city, that the governor had neither guard nor 
authority among his miserable subjects. 

* Alas !' said Gehari to Sadak, as they entered 
the city, ' to boast a power over you here, were to 
carry human vanity even beyond the grave. Death 
and destruction are the rulers of Koron, and deso- 
lation tyrannises over the children of Alia.' 

1 Not so, noble Gehari,' answered Sadak ; ' thou 
hast yet but a Christian's faith, or thou wouldst 
learn to acknowledge Alia the father of his children, 
even in the grave of death. His hand, Gehari, 
is on the famine and the plague : where he suffers, 
they spread the dark wings of fate; and where 
he stops, the mighty conquerors fall appeased. But 
let us boldly enter these gates of sickness, and 
while we have strength, administer to those over 
whom the dark fiend hath thrown the purple 
mantle of contagion.' 

The mariners, animated by the words and ex- 
ample of Sadak, boldly entered the city of Koron ; 
and while the ghastly inhabitants sat trembling 
and inactive in their houses, Sadak and his com- 
panions exercised the compassionate offices of hu- 
manity on the miserable objects that surrounded 
them. But his laborious and dangerous employ- 
ment soon overwhelmed the noble Sadak, and 
he found the plague had seized his distempered 
blood. Listless, and unable to serve others or to 
help himself, the wretched son of Elar fell between 
two carcasses, to preserve whom his utmost endea- 
vours had proved abortive. The miseries that suc- 
ceeded, nature kindly hid from his remembrance ; 
X 



306 TALES OF THE GENII. 

the disorder pressed his brain, and he lay entranced 
on the ground in the streets of Koron. After two 
days he arose from the ground, his knees tottering 
with the weight of his emaciated body ; he cast his 
hollow eyes around him, and on every side saw the 
dismal marks of the all-destructive plague. 

But what engaged his chief attention, were two 
youths, who were kneeling on the ground beside an 
aged body, who was just sending forth his last 
pestiferous breath, as a deadly legacy between his 
children. Their pious tears, and their duteous at- 
tention to the expiring sage, mixed with a sub- 
missive resignation to the will of Alia, struck the 
soul of Sadak, long before he perceived they were 
the sons of his strength, who were performing the 
last sad offices to Mepiki, the father of Kalasrade.' 

8 My children, my duteous children,' said the 
enervated Sadak, crawling, with trembling limbs, 
to their assistance, ' may Alia bless your pious 
care ! ye are indeed the sons of Sadak, and the off- 
spring of Kalasrade ; and your father is better 
pleased to see you thus active in this vale of death, 
than crowned with the conquest of unnumbered 
foes.' 

The astonishment of Codan and Ahud at the 
sight of their father did not jDrevent their attend- 
ance on the dying Mepiki : they closed the eyes of 
their departed friend with pious tears, and embraced 
with reverence the dead body of their honoured 
ancestor. 

The soul of Sadak was overcome by the piety of 
his children ; and he whom embattled armies could 
not move from his post, became the tender victim 
of paternal affection. 

Codan and Ahud, perceiving their father fainting, 
ran to his assistance ; new cares succeeded to in- 
crease their affliction ; and the dying groans of 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 307 

Mepiki were scarcely remembered, while Sadak 
continued to faint in the arms of his children. 

' Thanks, gentle Codan ; thanks, tender Ahud/ 
said Sadak to his children, as he arose from the 
bondage of weakness : ' though nature is exhausted, 
my soul is revived by the behaviour of my sons ; 
and Sadak rejoices to see the tenderness of Kalas- 
rade triumphant over thy father's fierceness.' 

' Fountain of our life, and leader of our thoughts/ 
answered Codan, ' thy children lift up their hearts 
to Alia, and bless him for the comforts he has 
given us in this scene of terrors.' 

' Ah, my son !' said Sadak, ' why should I com- 
plain of bodily weakness, when the weakness of my 
mind is superior? Unsatisfied with the presence 
of my children, I burn to know what strange fatality 
has brought you to the city of Koron.' 

' Author of our being,' answered Ahud, ' thy chil- 
dren have not been exempt from the misfortunes of 
their parents. Soon after our father left us, under 
the protection of the affectionate Mepiki, a slave 
hastened toward the hut whither thy offspring had 
retired from the rage of the flame. 

' * Aged Mepiki,' said the slave, ' retire with the 
children of Sadak ; for behold, the royal Janissaries 
are advancing, and Amurath hath commanded the 
progeny of Sadak to be brought before him.' 

' Our aged parent wrung his hands at the relation 
of the slave : the Janissaries were in sight, and 
Codan and myself only with thy father Mepiki. 

" Alas !' said the parent of our honoured mother 
Kalasrade, ' five of my daughter's children are with 
the eunuchs at the extremity of the garden ; and to 
us there are little hopes of flight, to them is the 
certainty of condemnation.' 

' ' Venerable sire,' answered the slave, ■ it w T ill be 
vain to attempt the rescue of those who are absent 
X2 

i 



308 TALES OF THE GENII. 

from hit lord : but if you and the children of Sadak 
will follow rne into the forest that overshadows the 
village, I will engage to lead you in safety from the 
malice of your pursuers.' 

' \ Lead me, then,' replied our sire Mepiki ; ' lead 
me, faithful slave, from the tyranny of Amurath ! 
For myself, indeed, it little matters whether I 
perish by age or by the sword ; but these may live 
to revenge the blood of their ancestors.' 

' Thus saying, Mepiki leaned on the slave ; and, 
Codan and myself drawing our scimitars, we issued 
forth, and covered ourselves from the sight of the 
Janissaries among the cedars of the forest. Here 
we continued till night; when the faithful slave 
besought us to follow him through the forest to 
a town about four leagues from the habitation 
of Mepiki. Thinking ourselves too near the arm 
of Amurath, we departed thence the following 
night to Barebo ; and there continued till a vessel 
which was trading to Ismir took us on board, and 
carried us to that pride of Asia. We continued in 
Ismir but a few days ; the plague broke out in the 
suburbs, and raged with such violence that Mepiki 
resolved to embark in the first vessel that left the 
city of Ismir. This happened to be a merchant's 
sloop bound for Koron, in which we came with 
favourable gales, and landed, not long since, in this 
miserable city. 

* The mariners who came with us escaped not 
the pestilence, although they had left the city of 
Ismir ; they were seized with the contagion as soon 
as they landed ; and the disorder raged with such 
violence, that, ere half the moon was elapsed, the 
whole city groaned under its wretched influence. 
The aged Mepiki for some time shut himself and 
us up in an inner apartment, hoping to escape the 
contagion : but when he found the deadly disorder 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 309 

had seized him, he commanded us to carry him 
forth into the open air ; which, in obedience to his 
will, we performed this morning.' 

' And have ye, my children,' said Sadak hastily, 
' overcome the contagion, or hath it yet delayed to 
seize on your youthful frames?' 

* We have hitherto,' answered Codan, ' experi- 
enced a doubtful life ; but, seeing our parent hath 
escaped from the danger of the plague, we shall no 
longer accuse our stars of leading us to the horrors 
of this place.' 

' Son,' answered Sadak, ' to accuse fate is to 
rebel against Alia: and no circumstance can justify 
our imprecations, while our faith must assure us, 
that He is the merciful Governor of all our 
fortunes.' 

Codan, abashed at the reproof of Sadak, covered 
his breast with his declining head. As Sadak held 
this converse in the desolate streets of Koron, he 
perceived the captain of the ship drawing near 
him: but the fire of his countenance was ex- 
tinguished, and the lamp of life glimmered but 
palely in the cheeks of Gehari. 

* Noble Gehari,' said Sadak, turning toward him, 
1 1 perceive that equal misfortunes have oppressed 
us : yet, in this victory of the grave, how much 
are we indebted to Alia for our wonderful escape !' 

* That I should bless Alia,' answered Gehari, 
f is not wonderful ; for my enjoyments will pro- 
bably be restored with my life : but surely, to the 
much injured Sadak death had been a welcome 
guest !' 

* Gehari,' answered Sadak, ' it is by the gracious 
Alla's appointment that I bear the standard of 
affliction ; in which post, if I fall, blessed be his 
will! but while I live, I mean not cowardly to 
lament my situation.' 



310 TALES OF THE GENII. 

'Well.' replied Gehari, 'dost thou unite the 
determinations of the brave with the submissions 
of the pious : nor are your virtues useless ; for 
Amurath means to try their utmost strength, and 
I am come, an unwilling slave, to urge your de- 
parture from the city of Koron.' 

' If Gehari will point out the means of my de- 
parture,' answered Sadak, * I am prepared : but 
suffer me to take these my children as companions 
in my toils.' 

'Ah !' replied Gehari, starting, « are these the 
sons of Sadak, on whose lives the Sultan sets so 
high a price ? Now, Sadak, teach me the duty 
that I owe my Prince, consistent with my friend- 
ship to thy noble nature ! On pain of Amurath's 
displeasure, is every one who owns the Othman's 
sway bound to discover their knowledge of thy 
children ; and yet, sooner shall Gehari perish, than 
bring such exquisite distress on Sadak's generous 
spirit.' 

1 Gehari,' answered Sadak, ' obey thy Prince, and 
let not friendship breed rebellion.' 

' What, my father !' interrupted Codan, ' will you 
tamely yield your sons a prey to tyranny ? If so, 
Mepiki's life is spent in vain ; better we had fallen 
with our brethren, beneath the scimitars of the 
Janissaries, than met at Koron with our father's 
friend.' 

' Codan,' answered Sadak, sternly, ' it ill becomes 
the sucker to vie with its parent stock : as a father, 
in tenderness, I should forget your want of filial 
duty ; but rebellion, son, shall meet with Sadak's 
curse, though his uplifted dagger pierce his 
Codan's heart : and yet, my son, I would this 
mighty Amurath, for whom the slaves of Othman 
live, did weigh in equal balance his own impetuous 
pleasures and his people's comfort. Surely, Alia, 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 3 1 1 

thou gavest us not our lives to be the tyrant's 
sport, but didst intend the ruler of the Faithful 
should be his subjects' joy ! If thou shalt judge 
hereafter the princes of the earth, for every life in 
wantonness destroyed, there is not a prince but 
gladly would exchange his nature with a peasant !' 

* Generous Sadak,' said Gehari, ' dispel the 
gloom that overwhelms thee ; for Gehari means 
not to betray thy sons : the spirited Codan, and 
his more submissive brother, shall, if it pleaseth 
thee, partake of their father's fortune. Of all our 
mariners, but seven have escaped the plague : 
Codan, therefore, and Ahud, shall supply the place 
of two of my officers ; and the rest we must seek 
for in some neighbouring port.' 

1 Friendly Gehari,' answered Sadak, * how shall 
I repay thy generous services ? Permit us only to 
hide the corpse of our dear parent in the earth ; 
and we will attend thy will.' 

At these words, Gehari left Sadak and his chil- 
dren, and calling together his scattered mariners, 
returned to the ship. Sadak, in the mean time, 
assisted his sons in their melancholy office ; and, 
having covered up the body of Mepiki, he led them 
to the vessel which Gehari commanded. The wind 
blowing from the land, soon wafted them from the 
city of Koron ; and Gehari, unwilling to return 
toward Constantinople, sailed to Medan, and there 
recruited the number of his mariners. 

From Medan, after a tedious passage, they 
reached the island of Gomerou ; where refreshing 
themselves a short space, they steered to the 
south, through the wide Atlantic, and, approaching 
toward the sun, they encountered the sultry heats 
of the torrid zone. Sadak, though unacquainted 
with the sea, was not indolent ; the day was 
spent in instructing his sons ; and in the night he 



3 1 2 TALES OF THE GENII. 

strove with manly courage to surmount the oppres- 
sions of his mind, which were aggravated by the 
thoughts of Kalasrade's distress. 

Having passed the warmer climates, they drew 
near to the cold regions of the south, and Gehari, 
perceiving land, steered his vessel towards the 
shore, and anchored at a small distance from a 
beautiful island. Here they found the blessings of 
plenty ; and the mariners, quickly recovering from 
the disorders of the sea, were enabled to pursue 
the directions of the bold Gehari, who stayed no 
longer than was necessary to refit his vessel and 
renew his stores. 

From this island they sailed toward the Straits 
which divide the Atlantic from the Pacific Ocean. 
But as they approached the land, the wind arose, 
and the sea beat in tempestuous billows against 
the vessel of Gehari. The mariners in vain 
pointed their vessel to the west ; her sides shook, 
as fearful of the storm, and the ship started from 
the face of the tempest, as the war-horse trembles 
in the day of battle. 

Sadak beheld the conflicting elements with 
patience and calmness : but Codan was terrified at 
the black mountainous ocean, which rose in broken 
precipices above the masts of the ship. As the 
vessel sunk, embosomed in hollow sounding bil- 
lows, so sunk the heart of Codan, and Sadak in 
vain attempted to give to his son a courageous 
mind. 

' Is this Codan !' said his father, as he saw him 
dissolved in tears, and trembling at his fate : * is 
this the descendant of Elar, who so nobly sup- 
ported the dying Mepiki ! Where, wretched son ! 
is that undaunted mind which formerly endeared 
thee to thy parents ? ' 

' Pardon, Sadak,' answered Codan, ' the mis- 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 313 

givings of my soul ; it is not for myself, parent 
of my life, but for thee my heart pants, and my 
strength flies from me : was it not sufficient that 
Amurath bereaved thee of Kalasrade, without 
sending thee hither amidst these conflicting ele- 
ments ? ' 

' Codan,' answered Sadak, ' thy fears for me dis- 
cover a noble soul, and Sadak thanks thee for 
them : but dismiss them quickly, Codan.' 

As Sadak was uttering these words, a tremen- 
dous swell broke over the ship, and the wave over- 
whelmed both Sadak and his son. The father 
instantly secured himself by embracing a part of 
the ship, which saved him from the effects of the 
wave : but Codan became a sacrifice to its violence, 
and was driven over the sides of the vessel, into 
the tumultuous ocean. 

It was some time before Sadak recovered from 
the confusion around, as the sea had nearly 
stunned him in his passage : but when he found 
his son was torn from him by the swell, and saw 
him tossed on the billows, the undaunted Sadak 
leaped forward, and was about to follow, had not 
Ahud caught his father in his arms, and prevented 
his intentions. 

' Wretched Ahud !' said Sadak sternly, * art thou 
jealous of Codan's better spirit, that thou hast 
dared prevent thy father in rescuing his first-born 
from the womb of the sea ? ' 

' Protector of thy children !' answered Ahud, 
' forgive my presumption, and let Sadak be re- 
served for the arms of his Kalasrade : Ahud 
will either deliver his brother, or perish beside 
him.' 

* No,' replied Sadak, preventing the intentions 
of Ahud, as his son struggled to fling himself into 
the tempestuous ocean, ' I now am satisfied ; and 



314 TALES OF THE GENII. 

Sadak, thy father, shall restore thy Codan to his 
brother's arms.' 

In this tender struggle between Sadak and his 
son, Gehari advanced; and, taking each by the 
hand, — 

' Alas ! noble friend,' said he, ' will you increase 
the misfortunes of Gehari ? The good Codan is 
already the prey of our boisterous enemy ; and will 
you likewise desert me in this perilous storm ? ' 

' We mean,' replied Sadak, struggling, ' to rescue 
Codan, the beloved of our heart.' 

' Though I admire your affection,' replied Gehari 
(still preventing the purpose of Sadak), ' yet I 
must not suffer it to overpower your reason : to 
sacrifice our lives in madness to the memory of 
our friend, is neither prudent nor courageous ; and 
greater fortitude is exercised in forbearance, than 
in the vehement sallies of distempered passion.' 

' The words of Gehari,' answered Sadak, ' are as 
oil to the wounded on the plain ; and we must 
learn, Ahud, to submit, where Alia hath denied us 
the conquest of aught but ourselves. — Yes, Gehari, 
to see my breathless son extended on the wave, 
and yet stand motionless beside him, is far more 
difficult than to seek his embrace among the roar- 
ings of the ocean: but Alia, Codan, is present 
with thee, and Mahomet hath taken charge of thy 
duteous body : it is we who are afflicted by the 
storm, while thou art wafted from this scene of 
misery to the mansions of the Faithful.' 

The gentle Ahud yielded to the wise dictates of 
his father ; and Gehari prevailed on his friends to 
desist from their frantic purpose, as the sea was so 
fierce that the ship could scarcely bear the billows 
that broke around her. After some time the storm 
abated, and Gehari prepared to run through the 
Straits into the Pacific Ocean. The rest of the 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 315 

voyage passed uninterrupted by the wind or the 
sea, but the serenity of the weather did but ill 
compensate to Sadak the loss of his first-born. 

After fifty days' sailing Gehari discovered a 
great smoke, and in the night could distinguish, at 
a distance, flames of fire. These increased every 
hour, and so greatly terrified the mariners, that 
Gehari was fearful they would rise up against 
him, and refuse to proceed on their voyage. Nor 
were the fears of Gehari groundless ; for, at their 
nearer approach, the curling foam of the waves 
each night appeared as liquid fire, and the ocean 
glowed like the melting-pot of the refiner. The 
mariners, aghast, viewed with despair the horrid 
scene, and the fears which were expressed in their 
countenances seemed to gather strength from the 
pale deadly light which flashed on the broken sur- 
face of the sea beneath them. Overpowered by 
the gloomy terror, they fell with their faces on the 
deck, and their captain in vain addressed them 
with alternate promises and threats. 

Sadak, perceiving the distress of Gehari, and 
that their purpose would prove abortive if they 
were suffered to persist in their fears, obtained 
from Gehari permission to arouse them ; and with 
his drawn sabre, walking into the midst of the 
prostrate mariners, he thus addressed their coward 
spirits : — 

' Sons of Mahomet, and brethren of the truth ! 
why fall ye thus as the leaves of autumn on the 
sandy plain ? What conquering enemy cometh 
against you, whose terrifying aspect you dare not 
behold ? Or what dangers are these which have 
subdued the soldiers of our Prophet ? Come the 
infidels of Europe against us ? or is the all-barter- 
ing Christian arisen up in arms to oppose our 
passage ? If these were in sight, my friends would 



316 TALES OF THE GENII. 

doubtless arise, and vindicate the faith of Mussul- 
men ; they would start from the slumbers of fear, 
and put on the manly countenance of war. Shall 
then the harmless wave affright you, when in 
sportive gambols it imitates the brisk flashes of a 
livelier element ? or shall you, who have undaunted 
seen the ocean's hollow womb, and all its watery 
caves, now shrink in terror back, when the heavy 
sea casts its languid smiles upon you ? These, my 
friends, are omens of our safety, and assure us of 
success. But rise and see me pour this harmless 
lightning on my hands, and thank our Prophet 
that, in the starless night, he makes old Ocean 
light us on our destined course.' 

Thus saying, the bold Sadak drew from the sur- 
rounding waves a bowl of water, which sparkled as 
it rose, and poured it on his hands : the trembling 
mariners raised up their fearful heads, and viewed 
with wonder the innocent effect of Sadak's trial, 
till, satisfied by the experiment, they again ven- 
tured to arise, each blushing at his causeless fear. 
But a few days' sailing again recalled their fears. 
The island was now discovered, and in the middle 
of it a huge mountain whose summit reached 
above the fleeting clouds, where an immense vol- 
cano vomited forth a wide deluge of liquid fire, 
which broke forth from the mountain with terrible 
roarings, and a mighty sound, as of winds burst- 
ing from the deep caverns of the earth. The 
glowing deluge descended down the mountain in a 
sheet of fire, and rushing violently into the sea, 
drove back the affrighted waves in dreadful hisses 
from its surface ; and for a long time preserved its 
fiery course beneath the waters that foamed above it. 
The countenance of Gehari was now fixed with 
astonishment and dread ; and he confessed to Sadak 
that he dared not trust his ship any nearer the island. 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 317 

' Give me, then,' answered the undaunted war- 
rior, ' a boat and a small portion of your provision, 
and Sadak will alone risk the dangers that sur- 
round the Fountains of Oblivion.' 

1 No, my father,' answered the duteous Ahud, 
' there is yet one left that is ready to share with 
thee the dangers of this horrid place.' 

[ My son Ahud,' replied Sadak, ' Codan is no 
more, and the javelins of Amurath have doubtless, 
ere this, pierced the hearts of thy brethren: if 
Sadak perish, yet shall his name live in Ahud ; 
and Kalasrade shall yet have one to revenge her 
wrongs !' 

c It is not revenge alone,' answered Ahud, ' that 
thy Kalasrade will require from her Ahud; she 
will ask me also for thee, Sadak ; and when she 
hears that I refused to share in my father's toils, 
she will pour on me the imprecations of a heart- 
broken parent.' 

' Sadak,' interrupted Gehari, ' yield to the 
duteous voice of Ahud, whose presence with thee 
may haply be the means of both your future 
safety.' 

Sadak, at length overcome by Ahud and Gehari, 
consented; and the unhappy father and his son 
descended from the side of the ship into the boat 
which Gehari had prepared for their reception; 
while the captain and his mariners poured after 
them the unavailing tears of friendship and com- 
passion. The boat was about three leagues distant 
from the shore, when it parted from the ship ; and, 
the wind blowing fair, Sadak steered briskly for 
the island of the Waters of Oblivion. The nearer 
they approached, the more tremendous looked the 
rocks which surrounded the island, against which 
the sea beat and roared, as if it strove in vain for 
a place whereon it might rest. Being arrived 



318 TALES OF THE GENII. 

within half a league, the boat struck on a quick- 
sand ; and Sadak could neither move it, nor would 
the treacherous sand bear his weight, when he 
attempted to wade forward on its surface. After 
many fruitless endeavours, he took several small 
boards, which formed the bottom-floor of the boat, 
and, tying them together, made two rafts, which he 
laid on the sand, and moving one forward while he 
stood on the other, he thus made some small pro- 
gress toward the island. But this was an im- 
perfect attempt, as the raft would bear but one at 
a time ; and Ahud was left a helpless spectator in 
the boat. To conquer this difficulty, Sadak re- 
turned again to the boat, and by the help of the 
oars and rudder, he made a third raft ; so that 
Ahud, by following his father's steps, and giving 
the raft which he stepped from to Sadak, who 
w T ent before him, they with difficulty moved for- 
ward to the rocks that surrounded the Waters of 
Oblivion. The tide had been several hours falling 
from the rocks, when Sadak arrived under their 
prominent horrors ; and had left a narrow beach, 
on which he and Ahud rested after their perilous 
journey. Here Sadak and his wretched son re- 
cruited their wearied bodies with such refreshment 
as they had brought in their garments from the 
boat, which, though scarcely sufficient for the next 
day's support, was the only means of living they 
could see before them ; unless they should be able 
to scale the overhanging precipices, whose heads 
seemed wrapped in the dark clouds that were 
gathered around their rugged summits. 

Sadak and Ahud, having refreshed their limbs, 
arose and went about under the rocks in search of 
some opening which might afford them an entrance 
into the island ; but ere they could discover any 
passage, they came in sight of the burning torrent, 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 3J9 

and were obliged to retire from its destructive 
influence. To add to this distress, the tide re- 
turned with violence around them, and the swelling 
ocean arose on the beach ; so that Sadak and his 
son were half covered by the sea. Thus wretched, 
they waded backward and forward on the beach, 
till Ahud discovered a small cavern in the rock, 
whose bottom the tide had not reached, when 
Sadak and his son ascended into it. In this gloomy 
cavern, which dripped with the salt tears of the 
ocean, they obtained a few moments relief; but 
the ascending swell followed them ere long into 
the ^cavern, and, dashing its rude waves against 
them, drove them on the rugged face of the rock. 
The tide, however, rose not above them ; but, after 
a long persecution, retired, and left them nearly 
exhausted by its rude buffetings ; and the wretched 
father and his duteous son, overcome with un- 
natural toils, slumbered on the sea-weed, which 
the water had left them for their miserable bed. 
Yet short were the slumbers of these afflicted 
Mussulmen ; the rocks and the mountains around 
them were heaved in the night with dreadful earth- 
quakes, and the island trembled with the adven- 
turous Sadak and his son, as the wounded elephant 
shakes the tottering turret in the armies of the 
vanquished. The sea, agitated by contending 
winds, rose in wild fragments to the clouds ; and 
meteors gleaming through the troubled air, cast a 
horrid light upon the watery profound, where 
monsters, rising on the scattered waves, stirred up 
a new commotion, and waged bloody war among 
themselves, increasing still the terror of the night 
with their discordant roarings, which the concave 
echoing rocks again repeated ; and, over all, the 
thunders from above joined in the general discord. 
1 Ahud,' said Sadak, starting from his sleep (as 



320 TALES OF THE GENII. 

he beheld the horrid scene before him), ' such 
would all nature be, were evil spirits masters of 
our fate ; but fear not, Ahud ; these gloomy rocks 
hide not this disordered prospect from our Prophet's 
sight ; he, through the tumult, looks on us, and 
watches lest our faithless spirits sink from their 
just dependence upon Alla's power.' 

' True,' answered the duteous Ahud, ' noble 
parent ! and the man whose righteous heart obeys 
the dictates of his God may calmly view these 
desolated scenes.' 

' In us,' replied Sadak, ' whose slight frames 
were formed to tremble at every shock, these 
visions must awaken fear and horror; but the 
tumults of the whole ocean, and the crush of the 
wide earth itself, would be less disgustful to the 
blessed Alia than the rebellious workings of a 
wicked heart, though hidden beneath the gay 
trappings of a voluptuous infidel. A wicked soul, 
Ahud, is more dark and tumultuous than these 
horrors that surround us ; yet often doth the 
coward run with terror from the lightning's flash, 
or even from an insect's presence, when he dare 
cherish in his bosom the most dreadful of mon- 
sters, a disobedient and rebellious spirit !' 

But in the midst of his religious expressions, 
the afflicted Sadak could not prevent some fears 
that arose in his mind, when he reflected on the 
exposed situation of his beloved Kalasrade ; who, 
since the departure of her lord from the seraglio, 
had suffered far greater terrors from oppression 
and tyranny than Sadak had experienced from con- 
tending elements. For several days she was per- 
mitted, without molestation, to mourn the fate of 
her Sadak, who she feared would be secretly de- 
stroyed by the malice of Amurath. But the vile 
Amurath could ill brook to have his hitherto 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 32 1 

despotic will suspended. Every day he sent for 
Doubor, to inquire how Kalasrade bore the loss of 
Sadak ; and but for the prudent interposition of 
the chief of the eunuchs, he would have invaded 
the prisoner's solitude. 

Doubor, who knew that persecution would rather 
inflame than assuage the sorrows of the virtuous 
Kalasrade, framed daily some new excuse to pre- 
vent the applications of Amurath ; and at last, when 
the monarch would be no longer withholden, he 
went before, and assured Kalasrade that Sadak 
was safe, and on his search after the Waters of Ob- 
livion. 

The presence of Amurath renewed the sorrows 
of Kalasrade ; she looked upon him as the murderer 
of her beloved ; and the softness and tenderness he 
assumed, met with reproof and severity from the 
eyes and the heart of the much injured Kalasrade. 
The proud iVmurath, vexed at his ill success, 
cursed the faithful Sadak : and although his oath 
prevented him from executing the desires of his 
heart, yet he resolved to revenge himself on the 
man he hated, even through the heart of the tender 
Kalasrade. Full of these resolutions, he left the 
fair Kalasrade. 

Immediate orders were given to the Janissaries 
to seize on the children of Sadak, who were with 
their grandsire Mepiki, on the opposite shores 
of Asia. But ere the Janissaries could reach the 
village, the two elder were flown away with the 
aged Mepiki. Amurath in wrath cursed the Janis- 
saries for their neglect, and ordered Doubor to dis- 
pose of the five that were taken, in the prisons of 
the seraglio. 

The next morning the angry monarch appeared 
before Kalasrade. ' Thy Sultan,' said he, ' hath 
unwittingly bound himself by an oath not to force 

y 



322 ' TALES OF THE GENII. 

thee to an union with him until thou hast tasted 
the Waters of Oblivion. He now seeks an oath 
from thee : he commands thee, holding in thy hand 
the sacred book of the Koran, which no woman in- 
deed is worthy to touch — to abjure Sadak, and to 
invoke curses on him and on his children, if thou 
shalt break thine oath.' 

The wretched Kalasrade dropped the book which 
the cruel monarch placed in her hands. ' Kill thy 
slave, royal Amurath, and she will kiss thy hand 
as it deals the blow.' 

' The alternative is not in thy life or death, un- 
worthy Kalasrade,' exclaimed the enraged Sultan ; 
and in the pride and fury of his soul, he com- 
manded Doubor to bring the eldest of Kalasrade's 
children before him. The little innocent was 
dragged out of the dungeon, and came with trem- 
bling limbs into the presence of Amurath. 

' Doubor,' said the Sultan, ' unsheathe thy scimi- 
tar, and sacrifice that accursed image of Sadak 
before mine eyes.' 

The heart-wounded Kalasrade, who had long 
been torn from her children, rejoiced at the sight 
of Rachal, the eldest of her daughters ; and the 
little Rachal, when she perceived her tender mother, 
forgot the terrors of the dungeon and the frowns of 
Amurath, and ran from the chief of the eunuchs, 
and hid herself in the folds of Kalasrade's gar- 
ments. The bold affections of a mother at that 
instant animated the tender Kalasrade, and folding 
her daughter in her arms, she passionately em- 
braced the beauteous Eachal, and bedewed her 
little cheeks with maternal tears. 

The mighty Amurath could not behold the scene 
unmoved ; but the thoughts that Sadak was the 
father of Rachal, soon changed his breast from 
pity to malice ; and the enraged monarch again 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 323 

commanded Doubor to lead forth the little Kachal 
to instant execution. 

At the voice of Amurath, the eyes of Kalasrade 
glistened with rage, and she viewed the Sultan, as 
the lioness darts forth indignant flashes from her 
eyes when disturbed in the lonely caverns of the 
rocks by the adventurous hind. 

1 Tyrant !' said she, ' death only shall divide my 
best beloved Eachal from these widowed arms : 
though Sadak might have civil duties to struggle 
with against his love, a mother knows no superior 
tie to withhold her from succouring the children of 
her breast.' 

' Doubor,' said the wavering Amurath, ' what 
means this foolish heart of mine, that dares not 
encounter with a woman's will ? But, slave, thou 
well mayst read thy master's mind: yet four are 
left in thy possession ; sacrifice those to my neg- 
lected love, and teach this stubborn beauty what 
she owes to Amurath and her Prince.' 

' Ah ! what saidst thou, tyrant ?' interrupted the 
distracted Kalasrade ; ' shall Camir, the lovely image 
of his father's strength ; shall Elphan, ever sub- 
missive to his mother's will; or the fair Ophu, 
pretty mimic of my playful actions ; or the lovely 
Isadi, sweetly smiling when Kalasrade smiles ; — 
shall these dear precious innocents bleed beneath 
the murdering knife of a slave's hand? O righteous 
Alia, who gavest these pledges of my Sadak's love, 
in painful labours to my arms, remember what 
I suffered for their lives ; and let not a vile wretch 
at once destroy what thou didst bring to light and 
life !' 

' Art thou too turned to stone, by this wild 

woman's talk,' said Amurath to Doubor, 'that, like 

a stricken hart, thou pantest for thy breath ? Slave, 

instantly retire, and bring the heads of these early 

Y2 



324 TALES OF THE GENII. 

rebels to my sight, who ape so soon the treacherous 
features of their father's crimes !' 

Doubor, with slow reluctance, obeying his Sultan, 
left the apartment, and went, with downcast looks, 
to seek the children of Kalasrade in the dungeon of 
the seraglio. As soon as the little Camir and 
Elphan saw the venerable eunuch approach, they 
ran with sparkling eyes; and, seizing on his trem- 
bling hands, they lifted up their smiling counte- 
nances,, and told him they were glad to see him, 
for the black ill-natured men who had watched 
them had given them no provision for the day. 

Doubor, who had before secretly cherished the 
little offspring of Kalasrade wondered not at the 
innocent freedom of Camir or Elphan ; but the 
good eunuch's eyes ran down with floods of tears, 
when he beheld the smiling countenances of those 
whose blood he was soon condemned to spill ! 

Conquered by their artless love and freedom, the 
tender Doubor took them to his arms, and kissed 
them with a father's fondness : then partly drawing 
forth a shining scimitar, the little family of Kalas- 
rade, affrighted at its glittering sight, fled swiftly to 
the extremity of the dungeon ; and Doubor, overcome 
with friendly tenderness and zeal, thrust the cruel 
blade back again into its scabbard, and fell to the 
earth unable to perform the cruel purposes of his 
master's will. 

While Doubor was thus employed in the murky 
dungeon, Amurath was not less irresolute in the 
gilded apartments of Kalasrade ; now fully bent to 
execute his rage on the sweet smiling Eachal, he 
drew his crooked falchion, and made up to the wife 
of Sadak ; when, awed by her maternal tenderness, 
the weapon fell from his hand, and he dared not 
strike. At length, mad with contending passions, 
the monarch, with a frown boding severity and 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 325 

wrath, broke suddenly from the apartment of 
Kalasrade, and beckoning to some mutes who 
stood at the entrance, — 

1 Slaves,' said he, ' take that little urchin from 
her frantic mother, and with your griping hands 
cast over her infant face the rigid countenance 
of death.' 

The mutes, obedient to the orders of their royal 
master, hastened into the apartments of the much- 
trembling Kalasrade, and regardless of her en- 
treaties, tore from her struggling arms her daughter 
Kachal. The distracted Kalasrade in vain cast her 
arms around her little daughter ; in vain called on 
Alia, on Sadak, nay, even on Amurath, to relieve 
her ; the unmoved wretches in silent steadiness 
pursued their cruel orders, and with their barbarous 
gripe, left Eachal in the agonies of death at the 
feet of her frantic mother. 

Kalasrade, being released from the mutes who 
had held her fast, while the rest executed the hor- 
rid commands of Amurath, sprang toward the ex- 
piring infant, and kneeling on the ground, she 
took the struggling Eachal in her arms, and pressed 
her to her panting breast; then lifting up her lan- 
guishing eyes, wearied with many a fruitless tear, — 
* O Prophet, holy Prophet,' said the distracted fair 
one, ' look down on a mother's anxious love, and 
spare my Eachal ! spare her, Prophet of the just !' 
After which, wildly folding her in her arms, the 
miserable mother poured on her livid face the 
copious streams of sorrow, and with a sigh that 
might have rent the walls of the seraglio, she cried, 
'Ah Eachal ! Eachal ! Heaven spare thee !' 

Buried in tears, and sobbing over her child, 
Doubor, with a pale face and bloody hands, entered 
before her ; and while the faithful eunuch strove to 
utter his melancholy tale, he saw the afflicted 



326 TALES OF THE GENII. 

"mourner hanging over her expiring child. At such 
a woful sight, pity touched his aged breast, and 
the venerahle eunuch hasted to her assistance with 
all a father's soft affection. 

6 Wretched, miserable, and afflicted fair one !' 
said the trembling eunuch, ' what fatal grief has 
seized thy heart ? Ah !' said he, looking on the 
distorted features of the innocent Rachal, 'what 
rude murdering fiend hath spoiled this lovely 
image of Kalasrade?' 

Kalasrade, whose eyes were dim with grief, saw 
not the eunuch till he came up to her, and poured 
his lamentations over her wretched infant ; but, as 
she saw his hands about to take her Rachal from 
her arms, — ' Relentless villain !' said she, ' avaunt ! 
thou shalt not feast upon my Rachal's flesh !' 
Then, recollecting herself, — ' God of the Faithful/ 
said she, ' it is the murderous eunuch, stained with 
my children's blood. Steel-hearted executioner ! 
hast thou eaten the hearts of Camir and his 
brethren ? But thou shalt not bereave me of my 
Rachal's heart !' 

' My much-honoured Kalasrade !' said the af- 
frighted eunuch, ' I have no orders to bereave thee 
of thy beauteous Rachal; I came here, seeking 
Amurath, my lord ; but whatever misfortune has 
befallen thy child, Doubor will gladly remedy the 
evil.' 

■ What ! officious eunuch,' said the hasty Kalas- 
rade, ' hast thou destroyed, and canst thou also 
mock my griefs ? Full well thou knowest the 
bloody orders of thy master's heart : four of my 
babes thy murderous hands have stolen for ever 
from my sight ; their bodies are now perhaps cast 
forth, the portion of some ravenous animal, not 
half so fell in heart as thou and Amurath ! — O my 
children ! is the dear flesh I have so often printed 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 327 

with a fond mother's kiss now torn between the 
fangs of a merciless beast, or trodden under the 
feet of black unfeeling slaves ? — Oh Prophet ! save 
me from the pangs of such heart-riven thoughts !' 

' The righteous Alia knoweth,' answered the 
chief of the eunuchs, 'how Doubor's heart was 
racked at Amurath's command : I dare say no 
more ; but here Kalasrade I have no command to 
hurt or to distress ; and unless my heart deceive 
me much, I can with ease recall this tender infant 
into life again.' 

'Do my children live, and art thou not just 
reeking from their blood ? Ah ! forgive me, 
Doubor ! excellent Doubor ! ' said she, recollecting 
herself, ' didst thou not say thou wouldst recall my 
dear Rachal into life again ? Then will I forgive 
thee. — And yet thou wilt not say they live. — No/ 
continued she, pausing, ' I never can forgive thy 
murderous arms. Alia !' said she, again recollect- 
ing herself, ' distracted with ten thousand ills I 
know not what I utter ; but thou, O Alia, knowest 
all ! and not to this base eunuch, but to thee, I lift 
my expiring Rachal : Thou, Alia, canst call a bless- 
ing from his bloody hands, and raise my child to 
life, through him who has already scattered four- 
fold death among my Sadak's lovely offspring !' . 

The patient Doubor heard with deep anguish of 
heart the wild and awful ejaculations of the miser- 
able Kalasrade : ' I left them living, but I dare not 
say they live,' he replied ; then, unwilling to lose 
a moment, he pulled out a phial from the folds of 
his garment, and poured some of its contents into 
the mouth of the gasping Rachal. The powerful 
medicine wrought a quick change in little Rachal's 
frame ; the strong convulsions ceased, and the re- 
viving female opened her blue eyes, which sparkled 
with returning life like the morning star. As the 



328 TALES OF THE GENII. 

eyes of Rachal brightened, so flashed with new life 
and spirit the watery eyelids of the fond Kalasrade ; 
and much her full heart meant to say — when a 
mute abruptly entered, and commanded Doubor 
instantly to attend his lord. 

Doubor, leaving the apartments, found the se- 
raglio in confusion. The rebel Janissaries pro- 
claimed aloud in the courts the tyranny of Amurath, 
and their leaders demanded the brave Sadak at the 
hands of their monarch. Amurath, fearful of their 
rage, sent for his faithful Doubor to appease their 
clamour ; and when he saw the eunuch enter before 
him, his conscience darkened every hope of safety, 
as the black orb of night, when she spreads her 
envious mantle over the face of the sun. 

' Wash, Doubor, in the sea,' said Amurath, ' those 
murderous hands, and rather stain the whole Pro- 
pontis with thy crime, than but one drop of blood 
appear, to rob thy master of his tottering throne. 

Doubor ! Doubor ! what seas of wealth would 

1 not pour forth, to gather up the innocent blood 
which thou hast this day spilled ! Go forth, good 
eunuch, and ajDpease these clamorous spirits ; but 
with thy guilty hand hide thy far guiltier heart, 
and over all, throw the thick specious covering of 
deceit ; and Doubor, if success attend thy friendly 
cause, Sadak shall be restored to all his honours 
and his children. — His children, Doubor, we will 
forget. This day, O Prophet, save me from 
destruction, and all my future life be thine ! ' 

Doubor, not daring to declare that his hands 
were unstained by the blood of Sadak ? s children, 
and uncertain whether Amurath's rage had not 
already given them to death, answered not ; but, in 
obedience to Amurath, he endeavoured to go forth 
among the tumultuous Janissaries; but, in their 
rage, they would suffer none to speak, unless the 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 329 

brave Sadak was delivered to them. Doubor re- 
turned with pale looks to Amurath's apartments. 

' My lord,' said the affrighted eunuch, ' it is vain 
to stem the torrent. Your enemies increase every 
moment ; and unless Sadak is delivered to them, 
they vow revenge on thee and all thy slaves.' 

* Then, Doubor,' said Amurath, falling, ' I am 
lost indeed; and life, dear precious life, like a 
departing friend, will take a short farewell of me.' 

' Glory of the Othman race !' answered Doubor, 
6 suffer not your fears to interrupt your safety ; but 
send some slave among the Janissaries, and pro- 
mise, in a few hours to give them Sadak : in the 
mean time I will remove thy best effects through 
the water-gates ; and we may fly to some neighbour- 
ing city, where thy loyal subjects shall still defend 
their Sultan against these bold undaunted rebels.' 

1 Friendly Doubor,' said Amurath, ' thy words 
recall my sinking spirits : and, Doubor, neglect not, 
among all my mutes and slaves, to carry fair Kalas- 
rade with thee.' 

The honest eunuch sighed at his master's words : 
but, in such perilous circumstances, he thought 
obedience a double virtue. With the fair Kalas- 
racle, wondering at her fate, Doubor conveyed the 
reviving Rachal to the shores of Asia, whom 
Amurath soon followed, disguised like a mute, 
among the slaves of the seraglio. The faithful 
Doubor led the royal family to Iznimid, and there 
proclaimed the arrival of Amurath, and the rebel- 
lion of the Janissaries. 

Abdulraham, the governor of Iznimid, immedi- 
ately assembled the troops of the province ; and, 
the royal standard being displayed, the army of 
Amurath increased daily. During these prepara- 
tions, Kalasrade was confined in the women's 
apartments of Abdulraham's palace, and the little 



330 TALES OF THE GENII. 

Kachal was suffered to attend on her wretched 
mother. 

The Janissaries of Constantinople, having chosen 
the brave Bohiri for their general, after they were 
apprised of the departure of Ainurath, resolved to 
march to Iznimid to attack the royal troops, before 
they were sufficiently strengthened by the neigh- 
bouring provinces. The governor Abdulraham, 
went out to meet the forces of Boluri : but the 
battle soon proved favourable to the rebels, and 
messengers arrived from the defeated Abdulraham, 
advising Amurath to leave Iznimid, and fly to some 
other city. 

Boluri, elated by his success, the next day 
marched to Iznimid : but the royal tyrant was tied 
to a neighbouring castle, with a number of friends, 
who came too late to join the forces of Abdulraham. 
Here, in a place defended by nature, the Sultan 
and his family remained several months, during 
which time the rebels were unable to force the de- 
fenders of Amurath from their impregnable castle. 

A long and fatiguing siege succeeding, many of 
the Janissaries grew tired of a war where there 
were no hopes of plunder ; and Boluri, fearful that 
Amurath might recover all, if suffered to depart 
from the castle, would not listen to the advice of 
his soldiers, who wished him to rove over the 
provinces of Asia, and plunder those who would 
not acknowledge his authority. This misunder- 
standing produced discontent in the rebel army ; 
and many of the officers, seeing there was little 
prospect of plunder under Boluri, secretly offered 
to give him up, if Amurath would pardon his 
Janissaries. Amurath with great joy accepted the 
unexpected terms ; Boluri was privately strangled 
in his tent ; and the Janissaries laid down their 
arms at the feet of Amurath. 



SADAK AND KALASKADE. 33 1 

The royal monarch, being thus reinstated, forgot 
his obligations to those who had betrayed Boluri; 
and he commanded the ringleaders of the' rebel 
army to be destroyed. 

Thus secure from a second insurrection, he 
marched back at the head of his army to Constan- 
tinople ; and soon reducing the rebellion there, he 
in a short time found himself reinstated in the 
seraglio of his ancestors. 

But now, forgetful of his former dangers, his 
heart beat to accomplish his purposes ; he had not 
yet avenged himself on Sadak, for he had not yet 
obtained the hand of Kalasrade ; and fixed again 
on his throne, he wondered that a weak oath should 
have so long withholden him from the indulgence 
of his royal will. 

Doubor, apprised of his master's thoughts, la- 
boured in vain to prevent the breach of his oath ; 
and Amurath found that while his faithful slave 
stood beside him, he should ever meet with an op- 
position that he eould not brook. 

To remove this obstacle, the Sultan ordered 
Doubor to repair on a trifling message to Iznimid, 
that his mind might be no longer controlled by the 
presence of his faithful eunuch. 



While these dark clouds were gathering over the 
miserable Kalasrade, Sadak and his son were the 
victims of the storm beneath the rocks of the 
island of Oblivion : and on the same night that 
Doubor departed for Iznimid, Ahud and his father 
were buffeted by the tempest and the storm. 
But the piety of Sadak, and the submission of 
Ahud, alleviated in some measure the dreadful 
hours of that night of horrors, till day arose, and 
chased from their eyes the gloomy visions of the 
night : but with the friendly day returned again 



332 TALES OF THE GENII. 

the unfriendly tide, buffeting their bruised limbs, 
and smothering them with its waves, as the insect 
which preys upon the plantain leaf is washed by 
solstitial showers. After waiting with patience the 
reflux of the tide from their cavern, Sadak, unwil- 
ling to lose the benefits of the day, led Ahud out 
on the narrow beach, while as yet they were forced 
to wade through the sea ; and directing their steps 
towards the left, they endeavoured to surround that 
part of the island which was opposite to the burn- 
ing torrent. This toilsome journey, though executed 
with the utmost difficulty and hazard, was yet as 
hopeless as the former : the black rocks, which had 
been hollowed by the waves, hung in rude arch- 
work over their heads each step they took, and 
formed a continued barrier, without any interrup- 
tion, except where the sea broke inward in deep 
eddies, and formed, in the fissures of the rock, the 
giddy whirlpool. 

Wearied with this fruitless search, the wretched 
Sadak led his duteous son back to the cavern, 
before the swelling ocean rose again to exercise its 
severity on them ; and after having encountered 
its fury, they gladly sunk into a repose, which 
lasted till the returning tide obliged them to rise. 
But now, their provision being exhausted, or 
spoiled by the water, still severer distresses encom- 
passed them ; and the miserable Sadak beheld his 
son wasted with fatigue, and overcome with hunger 
and thirst. One drop of wine yet remained in a 
little vessel which he had fastened to his sash ; this 
the tender parent offered to pour on the parched 
tongue of his afflicted Ahud ; and this the duteous 
son refused, and with uplifted hands pressed the 
vessel toward his parent's mouth. An affectionate 
struggle ensued, and the duties which arose from 
nature, prevailed over nature ; till Ahud, receiving 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 333 

strength from the dictates of duty, started up, and 
before his father was aware, suddenly forced the 
liquor into his mouth ; then, falling on his knees 
at his feet, — 'Ever-honoured parent,' said the 
trembling youth, ' forgive the first disobedience I 
have practised against you ; let these tottering 
limbs bear witness what terrors possess my soul, 
in that I have dared to exert my strength against 
the author of my being ! Pardon,' said he, ' O 
father ! rather strike me to the earth for my pre- 
sumption ; and cast from thy sight these rebel 
arms, which have prevailed against thy revered 
image.' 

1 Ahud, my son ! my son !' said Sadak, stoop- 
ing, ' Alia shall doubtless bless thy filial prowess : 
thou hast indeed prevailed, most noble youth ; but 
thou hast prevailed in duty, and art thy father's 
superior in - the triumphs of affection : yet how 
dear, my son, shall thy victory prove, if, to add 
a few short moments to thy father's age, thou hast 
suffered the fair blossoms of thine own life to 
wither and decay ! ' 

The words of Sadak gave comfort to the duteous 
soul of Ahud, and the cravings of hunger were 
suspended while he heard the sweet rewards of his 
duteous labours : — but short were the pleasures of 
Ahud; excessive thirst parched up his lips, and 
his supplicating eyes looking upwards on heaven 
and Sadak, expressed the silent anguish of his 
heart. 

' To see thee thus, my son,' said the distracted 
Sadak, falling upon him, ' is worse than the death 
thou hast for a moment driven from me. Oh, cruel 
Ahud ! I will recall my forgiveness ; for thou hast 
robbed me of a life far dearer than mine own.' 

As Sadak spake these words, the wretched 
Ahud, overcome by his hunger, fastened on his own 



334 TALES OF THE GENII. 

flesh, and greedily sucked the issues of his life : 
which unnatural relief for a short time subdued 
his thirst, and he waited with patience till the tide 
permitted them again to go in search of some 
escape from their distresses. As Sadak passed 
along the narrow beach, he observed the water 
pouring from a small fissure in the rocks. 

' Ahud,' said the miserable Sadak, his eyes 
sparkling with the distant hope, 'let us watch till 
the tide turn, and observe whether the water return 
through this fissure.' 

Ahud rejoiced in his father's hopes ; and the 
two descendants of Elar sat waiting in silence on 
the fragments of the rocks. The conjectures of 
Sadak were very right ; at the return of the tide 
the waters formed a whirlpool, and were drawn 
inwards through the fissure of the rocks. 

' Whatever be our fate,' said Sadak, ' this passage 
only seems to promise us the means of life ; for on 
this beach, ere two suns are passed, we must perish 
by famine : wherefore, Ahud,' continued his father 
Sadak, ' let us plunge together through this dark 
eddy, and either meet an end to our toils, or a 
reward to our labours.' 

* Father,' said Ahud, faintly, ' let us not attempt 
together the dangers of this whirlpool ; but, as I 
have less means of life remaining in me than 
yourself, I will first explore the secrets of this 
watery cave.' 

Thus spake the duteous Ahud ; not that he ex- 
pected any relief from the uncertain undertaking, 
but hoping thereby to prolong the life of his 
honoured parent. Sadak, hoping his son might 
succeed, yielded to his entreaties ; and Ahud 
having promised, if possible, to return with the 
ebbing tide, plunged into the foaming whirlpool, and 
disappeared from the sight of his anxious father. 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 335 

For a few moments the heart of Sadak was 
buoyed up with pleasing expectations, and he 
doubted not but Ahud was already in the land of 
plenty: but as the wretched parent looked on the 
foaming whirlpool, and saw its tumultuous eddies 
rolling ungulfed beneath the rocky bed whereon he 
stood, his weakened spirits sunk within him, and 
he cried out in the agonies of despair, ' Oh, Ahud, 
my son ! my son ! oh, treacherous ocean! thou hast 
robbed me of both my sons !' 

The tide rising, obliged the emaciated Sadak to 
return to his cavern, where he sat wringing his 
hands, weeping for his children, and bemoaning 
the fate of his miserable Kalasrade. The calls of 
hunger also increased with his distress ; and he 
cut the sandals from his feet, and gnawed from 
them a poor lifeless sustenance, till the waters pre- 
vailing, obliged him to combat their resistless 
fury. The next tide the worn-out Sadak returned 
to the fissure in the rocks ; and although the 
waters passed out, yet Ahud appeared not on their 
surface. 

Sadak now waited impatiently the return of the 
tide, and with the first wave that entered, in 
leaped the adventurous hero into the jaws of the 
whirlpool. For several moments he was hurried 
through the rocks, and bruised and wounded on all 
sides by their rugged points, till light appeared 
through the waters, and he found himself in a 
deep cave, surrounded by rocks, and open at the 
top. The rocks growing wider and wider, formed 
an irregular ascent ; and with some difficulty the 
wounded Sadak crawled upwards, till he had 
attained to the summit of the rock. Here he 
found an extended country, irregularly planted with 
fruits and herbs, and plentifully watered with little 
rivulets gushing out of many parts of the earth. 



336 TALES OF THE GENII. 

As Sadak looked around on this delightful pros- 
pect, he fell with his face to the earth, and said, 
— ' Alia, thy creature poureth forth his praises 
toward thee ; and the wretch w T hom thou hast 
blessed adoreth thee for thy bounty !' 

As Sadak spake these words, the pleasant vision 
faded from his sight, and he found himself cast 
forth by the waters on the beach whence he had 
leaped in the morning. The heart of the un- 
fortunate warrior fell at the sight ; and the spirits 
of Sadak were nearly overwhelmed at the unex- 
pected change. 

1 But hold,' said the submissive Sadak, ' if this 
change cometh through my devotions to Alia, 
blessed be that change ; for Sadak had rather 
acknowledge his God on the barren rocks, than 
forget him in the mansions of festivity.' 

As Sadak spake these words, he perceived the 
eddies of the whirlpool to rise with an unusual 
swell; and a female in vestments of gold came 
forth from its surface. 

' Eighteous Sadak,' said the Genius Adiram, ' I 
rejoice in thy fortitude, and am happy in being the 
messenger of thy comfort : but ere I unfold to 
thee the wonders thou hast seen, permit me to 
lead thee in security to that place whence so lately 
thou w r ast torn, as a sleeper from his dream.' 

So saying, the waters ceased from the fissure ; 
and the Genius and Sadak, descending into the 
cave, shortly after attained to the summit of the 
rocks, where Sadak had before seen the plains of 
plenty. 

As Sadak arrived on the plain, — ' Now,' said the 
Genius Adiram to him, * arise, and satisfy thy ex- 
hausted nature ; and then I will instruct thee in 
the lessons of our race.' 

' But first,' answered Sadak, ' Genius, since 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 337 

such is human weakness, that even seeming good 
may be real mischief intended, let me address 
myself to that God in whom no one shall be de- 
ceived ; for if I partake of these viands, He first 
whom I serve shall be blessed for his bounties.' 

As Sadak spake thus, he fell on the earth, and 
said : — ' O Alia ! thy creature poureth forth his 
praises toward thee ; and the wretch whom thou 
hast blessed adoreth thee for thy bounty.' 

' This noble instance of thy gratitude, and de- 
pendence on Alia,' said the Genius Adiram, ' is 
even beyond my hopes of thee, Sadak, thou 
highly beloved ! To be brave and duteous when 
misfortune cometh, is the lot of many ; but few 
have fortitude to withstand the temptations of 
pleasure and the delusions of security : as joy ap- 
proacheth, the knowledge of Alia vanisheth from 
the minds- of mortals; and when the prize is 
attained, the elated conqueror looketh not on Him 
that bestoweth it. The delusions of self-sufficiency 
arise out of ease ; and man looketh on the unde- 
served gift, and calleth it a reward, and the price 
of his merit ; but happy is he who receiveth with 
thankfulness, and forge tteth not that to Alia be- 
longeth the praise and the glory.' 

' O bountiful Genius,' answered Sadak, ' though 
much I am fortified by thy religious dictates, yet 
doth my heart pant after Ahud, whom I have lost, 
and after Kalasrade, whom I left in a tyrant's 
power.' 

' As to Ahud,' answered the Genius Adiram, ' his 
fate cannot yet be unrolled to thy sight ; and 
Kalasrade still suffers for her contempt of that life 
which Alia had commanded her to preserve. Ah, 
poor Kalasrade ! the bird of Adiram can no longer 
comfort thee ; and the oath of a lawless tyrant is 
as a flaxen band around the flaming pile ! — But 
z 



338 TALES OF THEGEHI. 

haste and pursue the Waters of Ohlivion; for 
many dangers yet surround thee : yet thou hast 
well learned to he most aware when perils are un- 
seen. Thy way is onward to the flaming mountain, 
in which the waters are hidden.' 

The Genius Adiram then departed from the sight 
of Sadak : and after the laborious warrior had 
finished his repast, he walked onward toward the 
burning mountain. The plain whereon he walked 
led him into a deep valley overgrown with bushes 
and trees, through which he broke with the utmost 
difficulty ; and when unsupported by the branches 
of the trees, he fell into watery bogs, where he 
had perished but for the broken fragments and 
boughs which he had gathered to prevent his 
sinking. 

Having passed this morass, he arrived at a river 
which ran among the rocks, whose source sprang 
from a wild cataract, which came foaming with a 
terrible noise in two divided torrents down the 
rocks. Here the astonished Sadak stood looking 
on the frightful waterfall in wild amaze ; and 
stunned with the rapid dashing of the torrent, for 
some time paused, unable to pursue his course, or 
retreat from the dizzy scene. 

No way appeared to pursue his journey, unless 
he dared venture up the craggy precipice which 
broke the two cataracts, and divided the roaring 
currents from each other by its bed of stone. 
Toward this middle rock the brave warrior crept, 
his nature trembling at the bold determinations of 
his heart ; and although his eyes swam, and his 
imagination tottered, yet the steady Sadak seized 
on the rock, and arose by degrees on its prominent 
fragments. The foam and the surf of the neigh- 
bouring torrents washed him as he arose, and the 
noise of the impetuous currents overpowered him, 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 339 

so that he heard not the fall of several rocky frag- 
ments, which came tumbling on every side. 

After his fatigue, and scrambling upward, he 
reached a broad, flat, prominent rock, whereon he 
laid his wearied body, and looked downward on the 
waves below. Ten thousand colours played in his 
eyes; and the rock whereon he lay extended, 
seemed in his fancy to break, and falling with him, 
to tumble headlong through the foaming waves. 

Fear seized his body, though fortitude possessed 
his soul ; and nature, tired of the struggle, kindly 
stole him from himself, and consigned him to 
oblivion : for a few minutes he lay entranced ; and 
as he awoke, forgetful of his situation, he rolled 
over to the brink of the rock, and was falling 
downward, when he clasped the rock, and secured 
himself with his hands. Having gained his former 
situation by long struggle and labour, he ventured 
not to look down from the precipice he had 
escaped; but turning his eyes upward, he per- 
ceived he had yet a third part of the rock to climb, 
ere he could reach the top. 

His perseverance in a short time prevailed, and 
Sadak stood on the utmost summit of the rock, 
whence he looked over an extended lake to the 
burning mountain, whose smoke and eruptions 
darkened the air, and filled it with sulphureous 
stench. To pass this lake, Sadak determined to 
plunge into it, and swim across ; but he saw that, 
unless he could steer between the two currents, he 
should be hurled headlong clown the perpendicular 
torrent. Unabashed by the danger, Sadak boldly 
leaped into the flood, and, striking forth his limbs 
with the utmost dexterity, in a short time gained 
the opposite shore of the lake. Here the hot 
cinders blown from the mountain fell in black 
showers upon him, and scorched his raiment and 
z 2 



340 TALES OF THE GENII. 

flesh ; till Sadak, gathering a large bundle of wet 
flags which grew on the watery banks, tied them 
with his sash, and placed them over his head for 
his security against the burning coals. In this 
manner he marched onward, the hot soil scorching 
his feet, and the sulphureous stenches blasting his 
lungs, till he perceived a huge cave, through which 
ran a rivulet of black water. 

Sadak, doubting not but that this was the Water 
of Oblivion, ran eagerly into the cave, and saw at 
the extremity of it a fair Virgin sitting in a musing 
posture. At the sight of Sadak the Virgin arose, 
and welcomed his arrival. 

1 Noble stranger/ said she, ' it is now two 
hundred hegiras since any one has been able to 
reach this scene of horrors : but to you it is given 
to taste the Waters of Oblivion, and to enjoy the 
blessings of our immortal race.' 

As the Virgin uttered these words with a 
pleasing aspect, she drew of the fountain in a 
goblet of gold, and presented the dark waters to 
Sadak, who, turning the goblet from him with an 
easy motion, thus replied to the solicitations of the 
blooming Virgin : 

' Fair keeper of these enchanting fountains, 
excuse my refusal ; it is not for myself that I seek 
the fountain of oblivion : bound by a fatal oath, I 
come a miserable exile from the Othman throne, 
to seek a death more cruel by succeeding, than 
others have found who failed of success.' 

' Then drink of jthis refreshing stream,' answered 
the Virgin, ' and forget the curses which Amurath 
hath heaped upon thy head : here drown thy 
former anxious thoughts, and rise, refreshed in the 
lethargic stream, to untried scenes of pleasure and 
amusement ; thy sins, thy follies, and thy pains 
forgot, here take a blessed renewal of thy life ; the 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 34 1 

past be blotted from thy careworn breast, the 
future all in prospect, all untried : then shall the 
golden dream of hope spring forth afresh, and the 
gay vision of unbounded joy again dance on thy 
sprightly fancy ; wealth, power, and beauty — rich 
in possessions, eminent in fame, in ecstasy dis- 
solved — shall all by turns solicit thy divided mind, 
while not a thought of what thou once hast felt 
shall ever again molest thy troubled brain.' 

* Such pleasures,' answered Sadak sternly, ' may 
captivate the wretch whose conscience wishes all 
the past one universal blot ; but Sadak has not 
lived to wish the thread of life unravelled and 
destroyed. No, Virgin ; though great are the ills 
I feel, yet this in every ill supports my mind, — I 
have not sought, nor yet deserved the ills that I 
suffer.' 

' For the weak child of man to boast,' replied 
the Virgin, ' argues neither sense nor merit : con- 
ceited, vain, and ignorant, their path of life is 
stained with error and perplexed with doubt ; pur- 
blind they grope along in the bright meridian day, 
and every action past they wish undone.' 

' It is not presuming on a well-spent life, that I 
refuse your boon,' replied Sadak to the Virgin of 
the cave ; ' but, conscious of no studied ill, I thank 
my Prophet for his mercies past, and. value the 
great Alla's former gifts too largely to desire 
oblivion may prevent my future thanks : whatever 
afflictions were endured were meant as blessings, 
to increase my faith : these surely to forget were 
base ingratitude. Whatever are the blessings that 
Sadak has received, these yet reflect new comforts 
on my soul ; and these to lose were little to 
deserve the future mercies of my God. No, 
Virgin ; one moment's recollection of Kalasrade's 
truth is more delightful far to me than years of 



342 TALES OP THE GENII. 

pleasure with another. Though dead, shall I 
forget thee, Codan ! whose pious cares so lately 
honoured good Mepiki's grave ? Though lost to 
me, yet never from my mind shall Ahud's righteous 
image pass. Ahud, duteous name ! who doubtless 
now, beyond life's tyranny, quaffs the pure milky 
streams of paradise above, richly repaid by his 
kind Prophet for those few drops of life he nobly 
gave the fountain whence he sprang ! Hail, 
.righteous, suffering family of Elar ! And thou, 
great parent of my life, look down, and curse this 
ungrateful head when Sadak wishes to forget 
thy truth I ' 

' Noble Sadak,' answered the Virgin, ' thou alone 
art worthy to succeed, who hast learned rightly to 
value the gift thou hast obtained ; take then this 
goblet, and carry to thy Prince these Waters of 
Oblivion ; and fear not the toils of returning, for 
as soon as thou art in possession of the goblet, 
thou shalt stand at the gates of the seraglio of 
Amurath.' 

* But, gentle Virgin,' replied Sadak, ' ere I re- 
ceive from thine hands this inestimable gift, 
inform me, I beseech thee, where is the duteous 
Ahud, the glory of my years ? ' 

1 Ahud,' answered the Virgin, ' is hidden from 
my knowledge : but let this content thee, that thou 
alone hast 'prevailed, and been able to bear hence 
the Waters of Oblivion.' 

Thus speaking, the Virgin gave into Sadak's 
hand the golden goblet ; and as he received it, 
the cave and fountain rolled off in a dark cloud 
from before him, and Sadak found himself at the 
gates of Amurath's palace. The Janissaries, who 
recollected the features of their long-lost general, 
shouted for joy ; and the populace in tumults 
proclaimed the arrival of Sadak. The slaves of 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 343 

Amurath hastened to inform him of Sadak's 
arrival, and the eunuchs of the seraglio brought 
him before the impatient Sultan. 

As Sadak entered the royal apartment with the 
goblet in his hand, he perceived Amurath sitting 
with a disturbed visage on the embroidered sofa. 
Sadak thrice prostrated himself before him ; and 
Amurath, with a frown, commanded his slaves and 
attendants to retire. 

' What, slave !' said the royal tyrant, as Sadak 
arose, ' hast thou succeeded in thy employment ? 
or dost thou bring thy forfeit head a tribute to 
thy Prince? 5 

* Lord of the Othman race,' answered Sadak, 
'the great Alia whom I serve hath blessed the 
cause of thy slave ; and Sadak is returned with 
honour and success to the Othman court.' 

' Curse on thy honours, vain slave !' replied 
Amurath hastily ; ( and cursed be the pride of thy 
heart : thinkest thou that thou shalt triumph over 
thy Prince ? or that Alia hath reserved for thee 
joys superior to those which Amurath possesses?' 

' The blessings of Alia,' answered Sadak, ' have 
refreshed my heart ; and the bounteous smile of 
my all-gracious Maker hath enlightened my soul 
in every horror I have passed.' 

' Blasphemous slave,' said Amurath, rising in 
haste, ' thou liest ! Alia meant not to bless thee 
beyond thy lord, but has buoyed up thy heart with 
treacherous hope, to make thy disappointment 
greater. Yes, slave, thy master has resumed him- 
self, destroyed thy children, and taken thy Kalas- 
rade to be the partner of his throne, that thou 
mightest curse thy God and die ! ' 

'Hast thou prevailed, thou tyrant?' said Sadak, 
trembling ; ' then welcome the black contents of 
this infernal bowl ; for now oblivion is all I ask.' 



344 TALES OF THE GENII. 

' Slaves,' said Amurath, clapping his hands, 
6 seize from the frantic slave that precious bowl ! 
it were luxury too great for him to taste and to 
forget.' 

But ere the slaves entered, Sadak put down the 
bowl : ' Alia,' he said, ' thy wretched servant casts 
himself on thee ; thy hand hast dealt the blow : 
help him to bear it, or let the angel of death 
bring him the oblivion he seeks ! ' 

' No, pious wretch,' answered Amurath, ' it is I 
alone have blessings for thy heart : chained to a 
damp dungeon's side, thou shalt learn how Alia 
favours Sadak — how he loves Amurath.' 

' Thy faith, thy oath, thy honour lost; call not, 
base Amurath,' said Sadak, ■ on Alia more : even 
yet, since death and oblivion are denied me, I will 
triumph over thee ; for in all the curses that afflict 
poor Sadak' s heart, none can overwhelm his con- 
science with such shame as thine.' 

■ Slave,' replied Amurath, ' thy speech is free ; I 
love to hear thy pious resignation ; but death over- 
takes thee, if again thy words reflect dishonour on 
thy Prince ; for think not, wretch, so meanly of 
me, that I approve of broken vows ; none are so 
hardened but must tremble, though they cannot 
relent: yes, slave, even I, while I triumph over 
thee, curse myself : but these dull thoughts shall 
be driven from my anxious breast. The Waters of 
Oblivion are designed for mine and for Kalasrade's 
peace ; wherefore bring me, slaves, the refreshing 
goblet, for my gloomy soul pants for oblivion, and 
I long to sin and think it virtue. Now welcome, 
peace ; and conscience, thou base intruder, a long 
farewell to all thy wretched admonitions ! But, 
slaves, remember, ere I drink this, Sadak dies.' 

As Amurath spake thus, he received the golden 
goblet from the hands of the slaves who had rescued 



SADAK AND KALASEADE. 345 

it from Sadak ; and, looking with a ferocious smile 
on the wretched husband of Kalasrade, — ' See, 
Sadak,' said he, ' how greatly Amurath doth honour 
to his slave : I drink this bowl to be like thee ; and 
fair Kalasrade, having tasted its sweet contents, 
shall look on Amurath, and think him Sadak.' 

The greedy monarch then raised the goblet to 
his lips, and drank off the dark liquor it contained ; 
which quickly spread its fatal influence through his 
veins ; and the disappointed Amurath too late per- 
ceived, that with oblivion death goes hand in hand. 
Sadak, surprised, started at the unexpected effects 
of the deadly goblet ; and the slaves of Amurath, 
who ran to his assistance as he fell, finding their 
endeavours to recover him ineffectual, now fell 
trembling at the feet of Sadak, whom they imagined 
the Janissaries would doubtless place on the Oth- 
man throne. 

' Lord of our lives,' said the minions of the 
seraglio, ' Alia hath justly punished the wretched 
Amurath for his broken vows ; and thy slaves wait 
thy commands, to cast his wretched carcass forth a 
prey to the fowls of the air.' 

' Wretches,' said Sadak sternly to them, ' I seek 
not the power you are so ready to bestow : let the 
faithful Doubor be called, that the subjects of the 
Othman throne may be acquainted with their loss.' 

* Heir to the Othman glory,' answered the slaves, 
' Doubor, by Amurath's command, is gone k to Izni- 
mid on affairs of state.' 

' Then,' said Sadak, ' carry forth the body of our 
departed Sultan, and show his pale limbs to the 
brave soldiers of the court, to whom (since no suc- 
cessor by inheritance or will is left) the choice of a 
new monarch falls. As to myself, tell them, I 
seek no honour. Cursed in all I held most dear, 
to me honour were a grievous burden. Kalasrade, 



346 TALES OF THE GENII. 

the virtuous Kalasrade, is dead to Sadak, and he 
will retire for ever from the world!' 

The report of Sadak's arrival, and the death of 
Amurath, was now spread through every part of 
the seraglio ; and while part of the officers hastened 
to acknowledge Sadak for their Sultan, others 
found out the melancholy Kalasrade, and declared 
every circumstance of the joyful news to the 
mourning fair one. Meanwhile Sadak, having 
given audience to the officers of the army, the 
viziers, and the hashaws of the Othman court, de- 
clined their proffered honours ; hut the voice of the 
multitude prevailed, and he was constrained to bear 
the weight of empire on his brow. 

The shouts of the Faithful rent the air with 
notes of triumph, when Sadak yielded to his people's 
supplication. In the midst of their clamour, a 
messenger arrived in the seraglio, and declared 
the approach of Doubor from Iznimid. A gleam 
of comfort shot through Sadak's soul, as he heard 
the name of Doubor pronounced ; and he sent his 
viziers to welcome his arrival, and bring him into the 
presence of his friend. The faithful Doubor soon 
arrived, and having learned from his friends the 
wondrous change, fell prostrate at the feet of Sadak. 

6 Since he whom Doubor long revered is dead/ 
said the faithful eunuch, ' Doubor rejoices at the 
public choice of Sadak's virtue to succeed him ; yet 
forgive me, royal master, if Doubor play the courtier 
but awkwardly before thee : born for his service, I 
lived in the smiles of Amurath, my lord ; and let 
these tears bear witness for me, I cannot ever for- 
get the kindness of my master.' 

■ Doubor,' said Sadak, sternly, ' thou art not the 
only afflicted soul that Amurath hath left behind 
him ; deep are his curses stricken on Kalasrade's 
heart, and woes unutterable are Sadak's portion.' 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 347 

* Surely, my lord,' returned Doubor, the chief of 
the eunuchs, ' the mighty Amurath did never pre- 
sume to break his oath?' 

' Yes, he broke it, slave ; nay, more, and 
triumphed in his sin,' said Sadak, fiercely ; ' and 
thou, I fear, hast borne a part in all his vengeful 
malice. All other evil I with patience bore; but 
this extremest cruelty loads my distracted thought 
past human sufferance. 5 

' My lord,' answered Doubor, ' permit me to lead 
thee to fair Kalasrade 's apartment : I yet must 
hope, some mystery unravelled hurts your peace.' 

* To soothe with words ambiguous, when mis- 
fortunes past can never be redeemed, is a slave's 
province,' said Sadak ; ' but Sadak has a soul not 
to be lulled by women's tales.' 

' Noble and royal Sadak,' answered Doubor, pros- 
trate on the earth, ' I beseech you to consider 
what mighty ills you heap on fair Kalasrade, if, 
unheard, you cast her from your presence, and 
accuse our Prophet, whose boundless mercy, like 
the mountains' shades, preserves and comforts 
every faithful mind.' 

' Doubor,' replied Sadak, 'thou ever wast to God 
and man an acceptable slave, and duly temperest 
submission to thy prince with faithfulness to Alia. 
I yield, good Doubor ; lead the way to dear Kalas- 
rade's apartment, and Alia grant success attend 
our search ! ' 

The chief of the eunuchs, preceding the trem- 
bling Sadak, led him to those apartments of the 
seraglio where he had been formerly seized by the 
guards of Amurath ; and commanding the doors to 
be flung open, Sadak discovered Kalasrade sitting 
on the sofa, with her surrounding attendants. 

At sight of Sadak, the beauteous sultana arose 
with wild distracted looks ; and turning to her 



348 TALES OF THE GENII. 

slaves, — ' Who is this,' said she, ' that hasely apes 
the majesty of Othman's Prince ? Whoever thou 
art, hold slave,' continued she, ' depart, lest the 
royal Amurath punish thy bold intrusion/ 

' O Prophet of the just ! ' said Sadak, hastening 
to her, ' what means this wondrous change ? — ' Tis 
Sadak, my beloved ; Sadak, who comes to be 
convinced that thou never hast submitted to 
Amurath.' 

' Submitted, wTetch ! ' said Kalasrade, with a 
haughty frown ; 'dost thou then call the royal pre- 
sence of thy Sultan an evil ? and presume to ap- 
proach the royal bride of Amurath.' 

1 Just, righteous Alia ! ' said Sadak, falling back, 
' what are these sounds that rack my jealous ears ? 
Have I then lived to hear Kalasrade prize a tyrant, 
and despise her lord? — No; it cannot be. I see 
wild passion rolls her eye, and madness has pos- 
sessed her brain; borne down by former evils, 
and depressed by anxious cares, the wish, yet dread 
of meeting me has for ever driven fair reason from 
her seat. Oh Kalasrade ! Kalasrade ! Yet Alia 
still is great and good, though a cloud veils Him 
now from wretched Sadak ! ' 

The pious words of Sadak were attended with 
unusual omens : from the left the vivid lightning 
flashed, the palace shook, and a thick cloud filled 
the apartment where Sadak stood; out of the 
midst of which came forward the stately Adiram, 
and thus addressed the consort of Kalasrade : — 

' Noble Sadak, the trials of your fortitude are 
now finished ; and Adiram is the joyous messenger 
of your future peace. The beauteous female who 
stands before you is not the real Kalasrade, as you 
will perceive when she shall restore to Doubor the 
enchanted ring. 

' After your departure from the seraglio, in search 



SADAK AND KALA SHADE. 349 

of the Waters of Oblivion, I perceived that the 
obligations of an oath could not bind the man that 
was influenced by revenge, and unmoved by the 
tender calls of humanity ; I therefore sent, by my 
little winged messenger, an enchanted ring to Dou- 
bor, declaring its virtues, and bidding him use . it 
when Kalasrade's distress should most require its 
assistance. The friendly Doubor had in vain em- 
ployed both artifice and persuasion to prevent his 
master from yielding to his evil passions ; every 
contrivance proved abortive, and Amurath was de- 
termined to make Kalasrade his wife without wait- 
ing for the Waters of Oblivion. 

' In this distress, I sent the enchanted ring to 
Doubor ; commanding him to put it on the finger 
of one of the ladies of the seraglio, who should 
thereby be enabled to personate Kalasrade and de- 
ceive the Sultan. Doubor, overjoyed, carried it to 
the fair and haughty Zurac, who had long pined 
unnoticed in the walls of the seraglio. Zurac ten- 
derly loved Amurath ; but her lord had never re- 
turned her affections. She received the ring with 
joy, and willingly personated the miserable Kalas- 
rade. 

' On the very day before you arrived from the 
fountain of the Waters of Oblivion, the mighty 
Amurath raised his supposed Kalasrade to the pin- 
nacle of female greatness. 

' Though accustomed to indulge his passions 
without control, yet was the soul of Amurath not 
yet dead to a sense of honour. Though his revenge 
was satisfied, remorse filled his breast, at having 
broken an oath held sacred by the Othman race. 
Before you arrived, your submissive resignation to 
the will of Alia again roused his spleen, and urged 
him (permitted by Alia) to drink down the deadly 
potions of Oblivion. As soon as Amurath was 



350 TALES OF THE GENII. 

dead, I appeared to Doubor, who was travelling to- 
ward Constantinople ; and I commanded him not 
to take the ring from Zurac, or to reveal the secret 
to any one, till he should see me again. 

' And now, Doubor,' continued the Genius, ' be 
you the messenger of these happy tidings to 
Kalasrade, and prepare her heart to receive her 
lord ; and acquaint her also with the safety of her 
children whom Amurath commanded thee to 
destroy, whom thou secretly hast preserved. Codan 
and Ahud both live : Codan was flung on an un- 
inhabited island ; and Ahud, having passed the 
whirlpool into which he had plunged, and ascended 
the rocks, came to the fruitful plain ; and over- 
joyed at the sight of the fruits that grew thereon, 
the duteous youth plucked several, and folding 
them in his garments, he descended down the 
rocks, resolving not to taste them till he had 
carried them to Sadak his father : but as, through 
his haste to relieve the fainting Sadak, he neg- 
lected to thank Alia for the gift, the evil Genii 
claimed a power over him; limited however, by 
Mahomet, to a short period, on the expiration of 
which he is to be conveyed to the ship of Gehari, 
which in its course will touch at Codan's island. 
And, if both continue faithful to Alia, they will 
return within the space of a year to their parents' 
arms.' 

Thus spake the Genius Adiram, and retiring 
into the dark cloud, she left the brave Sadak in 
the royal seraglio ; who, after he had assured the 
fair Zurac that she should enjoy the honours of 
Amurath's sultana, hastened to meet his beloved. 

Doubor, who, in obedience to Adiram, had im- 
parted the glad message to Kalasrade, was present- 
ing her five children to the happy fair one, when 
Sadak entered the apartment. The sight of his 



SADAK AND KALASRADE. 351 

long-lost children filled the happy father with the 
liveliest transports ; and the honour of his Kalas- 
rade so happily restored to him, gave new graces 
to his beauteous consort. They met, with tears of 
joy running like fountains from their pious eyes : 
and while in silent rapture they hung entwined in 
each other's arms, their beauteous children kneeled 
around, and bathed their robes with streams of 
tears. 

Conscious that passion had formerly transported 
them beyond the bounds of reason, they both in 
secret prayed for Alla's grace to moderate their 
joy ; and having borne the trials of adversity, they 
now strove to obey the sober dictates of calmness 
and humility. 

And first kneeling in the midst of their duteous 
family, with hearts and eyes uplifted to the throne 
of Heaven; they poured forth their pious praises 
for their Maker's mercies ; then, in modest tender- 
ness, indulged in mutual converse, by turns em- 
bracing all their children, and blessing their long- 
lost offspring : and with their tears of joy fell some 
few piteous drops for righteous Codan and duteous 
Ahud's absence. 

These happy duties finished, the royal Sadak 
arose and went toward Doubor, the faithful 
eunuch. 

■ Friend of my bosom, arid great instrument of 
all my joy,' said Sadak, embracing him, 'not all 
the monarch of the Othman throne can do for thee 
can ever repay thy generous services ! happy am 
I, to think that Alia will reward thee with the 
heartfelt pleasures of an approving conscience, — 
that, Doubor, shall be thy chief reward: for worldly 
pleasures, command thy Sadak's fortune ; the 
wealth of all my empire is at thy disposal.' 

The beauteous Kalasrade and her children fol- 



352 TALES OF THE GENII. 

lowed the example of Saclak, and all with joy 
acknowledged Doubors generous kindness, and the 
efforts he had made to restore them to happiness. 

The good old man, overcome by the affecting 
scene, in silence lifted up his watery eyes to 
Heaven, then fell at Sadak's feet, and would have 
kissed his sandals ; but the grateful Sadak raised 
him up, and seatedhim beside his amiable Kalasrade. 

Serenity and mildness succeeded in the affec- 
tionate interview, where all were happy in each 
other, and where all acknowledged, the source of 
their happiness in the bounties of Alia. 



The Genius Adirain thus finished her tale ; and 
Iracagem and the surrounding Genii bowed from 
their thrones ; the children of earth were filled 
with firm resolutions of fortitude, and the noble 
image of Sadak fired their youthful imaginations. 

• AVhile the sons of the Faithful,' said Iracagem, 
' have received the impressions of fortitude from 
the lips of our sister Adirain, the daughters of 
our Prophet have been well instructed in constancy 
and truth, by the glorious example of the firm 
Kalasrade : and doubt not, ye beauteous offspring, 
but virtue and fidelity shall be as greatly distin- 
guished, and as fully rewarded in the female sex, 
as ye see it honoured and approved among the 
sons of men. Born for each other, and alike en- 
dowed with an ever-living soul, the great Alia im- 
partially regards the sufferings and the virtues of 
all his children; and where weakness most pre- 
vail-, there most his gracious strength supports and 
comforts in the unequal conflict Remember, then, 
that no power of evil can achieve a conquest over 

the mind with<>iu its own consent, and that while 
you trust in Alia, and distrust yourselves, wisdom 
and power will be given you to do His Will.' 



LONDON: G. PHIPP8. PUINTbk., l3 Jt 14, TOTUILL STBF.ET, W KSTMIN8TEB. 



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